Broadband%20Over%20Power%20Lines

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Broadband Over Power Lines
In the U.S.
FCC UPDATE

• Bruce Romano
• Associate Chief
• Office of Engineering and Technology
• Federal Communications Commission
• 6 April 2005

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WHY?
Proactive
Reactive

• Why we need rules to foster
• Development of BP

• Why we need rules to foster
• Development of BP

• Technical, Mechanical

• Policy considerations

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Why an FCC Role in BPL?

• BPL is just electrical signals on a wire that
  already carries electrical signals
• BPL is not wireless or radio operation
• BPL is an unlicensed carrier current device
  (Part 15 unintentional radiator)

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Two Types of BPL

• IN-HOUSE BPL
• In-Home Computer Networking, Or Link Between
  Access BPL Home
• Low Voltage (120/240 VAC)

• ACCESS BPL
• Broadband (Internet) Access
• Medium Voltage (e.g. 10kV)

Access BPL connects to computers in the home
byin-house BPL or by WiFi (wireless)
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MVolts
1kVolts to 40 kVolts
120/240 Volts
LV Distribution Transformer
Substation
Power Line Interface Device Located In Home
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BPL Products
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Actual installation of Coupler and Bridge at an
aerial transformer
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Installed Bridge Pole Assembly at an aerial
transformer
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Actual installation of Coupler and Bridge at an
underground transformer
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Statutory Mandate of FCC

• Section 301 of the Communications Act (47 U.S.C.
  301) specifies
• No person shall use or operate any apparatus for
  the transmission of energy or communications or
  signals by radio except in accordance with this
  Act and with a license in that behalf granted
  under the provisions of this Act.

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Background of Unlicensed Operations

• Early on, the Commission recognized that
  individually licensing all RF transmitting
  devices was impractical
• Mechanical light switches
• Automotive ignition systems
• Electric motors
• Fluorescent lamps

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Regulation of Low-Power Devices (1)

• In August 1938, Commission issued a notice for an
  informal conference with the Chief Engineer on
  proposed rules for low power radiofrequency
  devices
• Devices primarily used by the public that use
  radiofrequency current as essential to their
  operation and that may cause interference to
  radio communications
• Hearing held in September 1938 with NAB, Philco,
  ATT and Westinghouse

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Regulation of Low-Power Devices (2)

• Commission issued press release on November 21,
  1938 (No. 30678) announcing adoption of rules for
  low power radio-frequency electrical devices
• No license needed if low-power device
• Did not exceed certain field strength limit
• Stay off certain restricted band frequencies
• Did not cause interference
• FCC would inspect and test devices

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47 C.F.R. Part 15

• An extremely successful regulatory model that
• Protects licensed operators rights and benefits
  by protecting their operations from harmful
  interference and
• Promotes benefits to consumers through the
  availability of desirable and affordable low
  power devices that can best be provided on an
  unlicensed (but not unregulated) basis.

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Part 15 devices at the Romanos and their
neighbors

• 2 Baby Monitors
• 3 Cordless phones
• 1 Garage Door openers with 2 remotes
• 4 Car Keyless entry systems
• 2 Laptops 5 PCs
• 2 WiFi devices
• 3 Ipods and MP-3 players
• 7 TVs (I HDTV)
• 7 AM/FM radios
• 1 RF remote
• 4 Set-top boxes
• 4 RC Toys
• CEA estimates more than 348 million Part 15
  consumer devices in US.
• Were doing our part

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Access BPL Rule Making

• Notice of Inquiry April 2003
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) February
  2004
• Report and Order

• Adopted 14 October 2004, released 28 October
  2004, published in the Federal Register on 7
  January 2005
• ET Docket 04-37, FCC 04-245
• http//hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/
  FCC-04-245A1.doc

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Objectives

• Remove regulatory uncertainty to encourage
  investments in BPL
• Promote development of Access BPL technology to
  allow consumers to reap its benefits
• Ensure protection of licensed radio services
• Study interference potential
• Develop rules as needed
• Ensure that compliance measurements are made in a
  consistent manner with repeatable results

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Access BPL Rules (1)

• Access BPL remains under Part 15 unlicensed
  device rules (new Subpart G)
• No change in existing Part 15 emission levels
  (low power unlicensed operation)
• Access BPL operations cannot cause harmful
  interference and must accept any interference (47
  C.F.R 15.5)

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Access BPL Rules (2)

• Access BPL cannot operate on certain excluded
  frequency bands
• Specifically, the following 12 Aeronautical (R)
  frequencies (communications restricted to safety
  and regularity of flight)

2850-3025 kHz 3400-3500 kHz 4650-4700 kHz
5450-5680 kHz 6525-6685 kHz 8815-8965 kHz
10005-10100 kHz 11275-11400 kHz 13260-13360 kHz
17900-17970 kHz 21924-22000 kHz 74.8-75.2 MHz
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Access BPL Rules (3)

• Establish exclusion zones within which Access
  BPL must avoid operating on certain frequencies
• Access BPL must avoid using 2182 kHz (2173.5-
  2190.5 kHz) within 1 km of a U.S. Coast Guard or
  maritime public coast station
• Access BPL using overhead power lines must avoid
  using 73-74.6 MHz within 29 km of ten radio
  astronomy sites (Very Long Baseline Array
  facilities)
• Access BPL using underground power lines or
  overhead low voltage power lines must avoid using
  73-74.6 MHz within 11 km of these ten radio
  astronomy sites

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Access BPL Rules (4)

• Access BPL must include adaptive interference
  mitigation capabilities to avoid local and
  site-specific interference, e.g.
• Exclude or notch any specific frequency or band
• Remotely modify the operation of or, if
  necessary, shut off any BPL device

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Access BPL Rules (5)

• Establish consultation requirements for BPL
  with public safety, and certain sensitive federal
  and aeronautical stations
• Establish a good faith process to ensure that
• Access BPL systems do not cause interference and
• Any restrictions by licensees on BPL are only
  those necessary to avoid interference

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Access BPL Rules (6a)

• Requires industry to establish a publicly
  accessible database for Access BPL systems
  containing
• 30 days prior to beginning operation
• Access BPL Provider Name
• Access BPL deployment by zip code
• Frequency bands of operation
• Type of equipment (FCC ID)
• Contact Information (phone number and email
  address) to facilitate interference resolution
• Proposed or Actual date of Access BPL operation

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Access BPL Rules (6b) Database Requirements

• The industry will select the database
  administrator and must inform the Commission
  within 180 days of publication of Report and
  Order in the Federal Register (before July, 2005)
• The Commission will issue a Public Notice
  announcing the identity of the database
  administrator

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Access BPL Rules (7)

• Changes equipment authorization requirements for
  Access BPL devices from Verification to FCC
  Certification, to be carried out by the BPL
  manufacturer
• Under Verification, the manufacturer determines
  the equipment is compliant and no data is
  submitted to the FCC unless requested. No
  labeling requirement except unique product
  identifier.
• Certification is an equipment authorization
  issued by the FCC and requires manufacturers to
  submit testing and measurement data to the FCC.
  Requires labeling of equipment to show FCC
  approval.

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Access BPL Equipment Authorization
Prepare Test Report and Application
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Access BPL Rules (8)

• Provide new measurement procedures and guidelines
  to ensure that testing of Access BPL and other
  carrier current devices is performed in a more
  consistent and repeatable manner. 3 typical
  overhead 3 typical underground installations.
• Recommend that BPL operators perform testing
  during initial installation, using a site typical
  for its own operation, and periodically to ensure
  compliance

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Mitigation Responsibility

• Protection of Licensed Radio Services is provided
  by
• the emissions limits for Access BPL systems (low
  Part 15 levels)
• the provisions for consultation areas, excluded
  bands, and exclusion zones and
• the requirement that Access BPL systems not cause
  interference.
• The mitigation requirements are intended to
  ensure that Access BPL systems are designed with
  features that support interference mitigation
• during initial installation, if sensitive local
  communications systems are identified in advance
  and
• after installation, the newly required
  operational capabilities will allow Access BPL
  system operators to expeditiously resolve any
  instances of interference that may occur, without
  the need to cease operations and thereby disrupt
  the broadband data services they provide to their
  subscribers.

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Transition Time

• Rules effective 30 days from publication of BPL
  Report and Order in Federal Register (i.e. now)
• for all new BPL equipment
• Transition time
• Equipment18 months for BPL equipment already
  installed, manufactured or imported before the
  above deadline (mid 2006)
• Database 180 days (July)
• Coordination 45 days (now)

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Other Issues/Next Steps

• Some Outstanding Interference Complaints
• 13 Petitions for Reconsideration
• Helping Local Government on BPL Regulatory Issues
• NARUC
• IAC (Intergovernmental Advisory Council)
• Continuing to work with NTIA and FERC
• Cooperating with our neighbors on BPL (Canada)

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The Future of BPL

• The adoption of these rules will remove
  uncertainty for manufacturers/operators, for
  utilities, and for the moneybags who can
  finance.
• The FCC has adopted minimal technical and
  administrative rules intended to create a
  positive growth environment for BPL and to
  facilitate investments in this technology
• The concerns with BPL potential interference
  issues are addressed by adopting the necessary
  restrictions on BPL operations to protect
  licensed radio services
• The adoption of a reasonable mechanism for
  interference resolution allows BPL operators to
  continue to provide uninterrupted service to
  their subscribers while addressing interference
  complaints
• The future of BPL will depend on BPL investments
  and innovative business plans

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U.S.A. BPL Activity (publicly announced)
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FCC Interest in BPL

• The FCC does not pick winners we have no
  favorite technology
• The FCC does have a goal of increasing broadband
  access for all Americans
• In line with U.S. Government goal
• Has potential to provide service in unserved and
  underserved areas, as well as increase
  competition in the provision of service.

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Notable Cheerleaders of BPL

• Former FCC Chairman Powell is a cheerleader of
  BPL technology
• New FCC Chairman Martin has supported BPL as a
  Commissioner
• They are in good company with
• President Bush (There need to be technical
  standards to make possible new broadband
  technologies, such as the use of high speed
  communications directly over power lines.)
• NTIA (Conducted technical study, supported
  adoption of rules, Asst. Secretary Gallagher
  attended meeting at which rules were adopted, and
  provided press conference afterwards.)
• FERC Chairman Wood (Attended demo, joint
  statement with FCC)
• FERC Commissioners Nora Brownell SueDeen
  Kelley (Attended, press conference)
• CA State Commissioner Susan Kennedy (The
  overwhelming message is that BPL is real. Its
  tangible.)
• Additional State Commissioners

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Joint Statement FCC-FERC

• Ubiquitous broadband deployment is important to
  the economic, educational, social, medical and
  cultural welfare of the country.
• The provision of high-speed communications
  capabilities over utility poles and electric
  power lines (Access BPL) provides an opportunity
  to increase the competitive broadband choices
  that are available to the public
• Access BPL may help provide additional power
  supply system communications and control
  capabilities to improve reliability and
  efficiency.
• These services should be allowed to develop
  according to market demands with minimal
  regulation.
• Utilities are urged to pursue these opportunities.

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Benefits of BPL

• Last Mile solution potential 3rd Pipe ( DSL
  Cable) to bring broadband services to the home
• VOIP Telephone service where no phone line
• Promote redundancy of communications systems
• Improve utilities management of electric grid
• remote power outage notification, load
  management, traffic control, remote meter reading
• Provide myriad municipal function (especially
  attractive to municipally owned utilities)
• Enhance security of energy distribution systems,
  thereby enhancing national security
• Foster development of smart appliances and
  resource sharing (home networking)

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Current uses BPL to provide end-to-end
communications services and enhanced utility
services using the existing power grid
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Local Impediments

• In some states, current service providers have
  succeeded in having measures introduced to state
  legislatures to prohibit provision of any
  broadband service by governmental entity (extends
  beyond BPL).
• Some parties have challenged whether utilities
  have the legal authority to offer such service
  particularly involved with respect to municipally
  owned utilities

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That's all Folks!
http//www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/isplc2005/