Powerline broadband does last mile---Goes through meters,transformers in 
Georgia

Powerline Technologies Inc (PTI) expects to have commercial broadband and 
powerline modems ready by the fall now that it has completed a 
full-scalefield trial.

It,s the first successful test in the US that solved the problem of avoiding 
transformers and meters, noted CEO Rick Rumbarger.

The basic technology of PTI,s hardware was developed in Europe and adapted to 
the US by M@inNet.net --the Israeli-based powerline communications firm 
formed Powerline Technologies with US-based energy marketer PowerTrust.

They,ve taken the concept from the lab, putting it on the grid and proved to 
the world it works, said Rumbarger. PTI,s core technologies are in use in 
Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Brazil and Sweden.  PTI used the latest 
version of its technology to provide internet broadband services to single 
family homeowners served by Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corp, located 
southwest of Atlanta.

&It,s the only technology that we,re aware of that can go through both meters 
and transformers,8 besides meeting European emissions standards,he added.

Services were delivered over a live power grid using overhead and underground 
lines.

Proving the technology could be a&last mile8 broadband provider is important. 
The last mile refers to the leg from the user,s home to where it hooks into 
the main wires but in this case the connection included the last inch linking 
a building,s outlets into a network.Consumers can move from room to room and 
still connect to the internet.

Home networking is popular these days but requires some expertise and is 
considered a hassle to set up.The powerline connection allows various 
computers to connect to the internet without relying on a network router.

PTI,s broadband worked on low and medium voltage grids. The technology 
developed by PTI accomplishes one more feat in that it can push a broadband 
signal over long distances without turning the line into an antenna picking 
up stray signals.It will revolutionize broadband by giving everyone with 
electricity an ability to have a high-speed internet connection.That would 
solve the problem of rural areas being left out of the broadband advance.

Telephone service can be offered as well as video on demand, Rumbarger noted. 
Utilities will be able to use the system for automated meter reading services 
too. The powerline technology provides a &huge economic windfall8 for 
utilities that can offer these services using an infrastructure that,s 
already in place, Rumbarger explained.A utility deploying the powerline 
devices will only expend about 25% of the cost of installing cable or 
DSL(digital subscriber line) infrastructures.  PTI,s next step is to have a 
full-blownpilot with the Coweta-Fayette co-op in about three months with two 
more to follow at midyear including telecom.

Thus a CLEC will be able to provide phone services without leasing lines from 
the incumbent telephone