The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association is developing a new standard for a new technology called broadband over power lines (BPL). BPL will allow consumers to access the Internet, send e-mail and automate their homes simply by plugging into an electrical outlet.

BPL would be of particular benefit to those in rural areas not reached by DSL and cable Internet services. There are currently approximately 50 BPL networks in the United States, although they are still mostly in the developmental phases.

IEEE P1901, “Draft Standard for Broadband over Power Line Networks: Medium Access Control and Physical Layer Specifications,” will define how digital data travel over power lines and the nature of the communication channel to be used. It will provide an essential tool to manufacturers by helping to develop interoperable devices necessary to commercialize the technology. It’s targeted for publication in early 2007.

For more information, visit www.ansi.org/news_publications/news_story.aspx?menuid=7&articleid=1312.

 …