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News Release from: PLC Forum
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 01 July 2003
Global progress on powerline
communications
The first World Summit of PLC Associations successfully brought together the world's major players in this industry.
Powerline communications (PLC) represents a unique opportunity to provide high-speed Internet access, and to bring narrowband services (such as home automation and security), telephony, fax and LAN services to each and every power socket in the home or office "The beauty of this technology: it uses the existing infrastructure for electric power which in Europe covers nearly 100% of the population", commented Sergio Rogai, Chairman of the PLCforum Association
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 28 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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On 10th June the first World Summit of PLC Associations successfully brought together the world's major players in this industry.
Organised by the PLC Forum, delegates of Homeplug, PUA, UPLC, PLCA, PLC-J, and the European Commission (EC) discussed the opportunities and options for moving forward with mass deployment of PLC as an alternative last mile technology.
"Today there is an open window of opportunity for PLC access solutions.
In addition the market for in-home solutions is emerging strongly.
Thus we have to move fast to promote the adoption of PLC technology.
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We now see mainstream manufacturers entering the market which will accelerate the availability of mass market products with an attractive price label", said Dr Keith MacLean, Chairman of the Commercial and Marketing Working Group of the PLC Forum.
A successful model for rapid progress in standardisation was reported by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance - already enjoying impressive sales of hundreds of thousands of units worldwide.
The HomePlug 1.0 standard specifies an Ethernet-class Home Powerline Networking with 14Mbit/s throughput, QoS priority classes, and encryption to meet security requirements.
Inside homes HomePlug 1.0 provides LAN connectivity anywhere a power outlet exists.
Under development is HomePlug AV with speeds above 100Mbit/s, which should become the network of choice for the distribution of data and multistream entertainment including HDTV, SDTV and true audiophile audio.
The roadmap includes further developments of HomePlug Access (last mile) and HomePlug Control (management for the smart home).
It was confirmed that while equipment standards are desirable they are not essential for the deployment of PLC.
It was also accepted that there is no need for one single universal worldwide standard.
Because of the point-to-point nature of PLC local versions will be acceptable.
The current local perspectives of PLC are reflecting the focus in the different areas: USA leading on in-home solutions, Europe on access and Japan on narrowband.
Nonetheless, the PUA follows an ambitious plan to define and promote an open PLC access standard for Europe by mid of 2004.
A number of trials have moved into commercial operations and have quickly generated tens of thousands of customers.
Targeted regional deployments including cities such as Mannheim in Germany and a number of rural areas have been particularly successful.
The actual number of passed properties in Europe is estimated between 250,000 and 500,000.
Countries with significant PLC activities include: Austria, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
A major breakthrough for PLC could be enhanced by the Opera project, created under the umbrella of the PLC Forum.
This project co-ordinated by the Spanish Iberdrola will involve 39 European partners including many major utilities, manufacturers and universities.
The Opera project will run over a period of 48 months and could command a budget around Eur 26 million.
To launch the project support from the EC under the Sixth Framework Programme could be forthcoming.
The European Commission is aiming to achieve a fast roll-out of competitive broadband infrastructure in local access networks (Lisbon strategy) and is now prepared to set a framework for enabling PLC in the EU.
To stimulate the dialogue between regulators and governments a joint expert workshop is planned for 16th September this year.
It is hoped that a new commission recommendation under Art 19 of the Framework Directive based on the EMC Directive might result.
The regulator in the USA, the FCC, is also adopting a very proactive and supporting role for the deployment of PLC.
The Chairman, Michael Powell was reportedly thrilled with a recent demonstration, saying only that he is disappointed the service isn't available where he lives.
PLCA and UPLC both reported a tremendous momentum of support for PLC developing in the USA and can see progress on deployment rapidly catching up with Europe.
The position in Japan has been more restricted by regulatory requirements but the PLCA-J was recently formed to help accelerate progress in this important market.
Consisting of many of the largest Japanese manufacturers this organisation is keen to co-operate internationally to make PLC available in Japan and the rest of the World at affordable prices.
The PUA, representing utilities with over 100 million energy customers has concluded that PLC: is a proven and technically viable broadband access technology; uses an existing infrastructure with a higher potential coverage than other technologies; offers unrivalled ubiquity; can be deployed very quickly; presents an attractive business case; and benefits from the long-term perspectives and stability of the power utilities.
The main challenges for mass market penetration are to encourage the larger utilities to take the next step.
This has been recognised by the European Commission which confirmed that the current liberalisation of the energy market and the interest of utility companies to deliver broadband telecommunications services present an opportunity to promote competition in the local loop and the supply of broadband services.
MacLean reflected: "For this to happen, the remaining regulatory uncertainty needs to be removed expeditiously, creating stable conditions that could encourage investments in powerline communications.
The Commission and the Member States need to ensure a regulatory level playing field and technology neutrality, taking into account the Lisbon goals and in that context the overall interests in a new infrastructure for the provision of broadband services".
MacLean concluded the first World Summit of PLC Associations: "The objectives of this meeting have been fully achieved.
We will continue the dialogue between PLC associations worldwide and establish mutual co-operation agreements and working partnership by signing MoUs with other organisations in addition the MoUs inked with UPLC, PLCA, and PUA".
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