UPLC Powerline- August 19, 2008

This month, the FCC opposed Comcast's peer-to-peer traffic management practices, which were the subject of several complaints, including one filed by BitTorrent. The FCC concluded that "Comcast has unduly interfered with Internet users' right to access the lawful Internet content and to use the applications of their choice." Specifically, the Commission found that Comcast had deployed equipment throughout its network to monitor the content of its customers' Internet connections and selectively block specific types of connections known as peer-to-peer connections. Although Comcast claimed that it was merely combating network congestion, the FCC determined that Comcast had anticompetitive motives to block BitTorrent traffic.

As a result, the FCC announced that it would take jurisdiction over this and similar matters in the future. In this matter, Comcast was ordered to respond within 30 days and 1) disclose the details of its network management practices; 2) submit a compliance plan with the FCC to stop these practices; and 3) disclose to customers and the Commission the network management practices that will replace the current practices. If Comcast fails to comply with these requirements, the FCC threatened to slap an injunction on Comcast and to conduct a hearing on the matter.

Telkonet announced late last month that its Series 5^TM and its iWire^TM System were approved after laboratory and field testing by Serveron, which is an affiliate of BPL Global. The Telkonet Series 5^TM and the Telkonet iWire^TM System will leverage existing electrical low voltage power lines to provide high-speed communications, creating a highly secure and fast-deployment substation network. Telkonet's network enables the constant monitoring of power transformers by linking Serveron's remote monitoring Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) system to the control house; then transmitting vital data about the presence of dissolved gases in the power transformer insulating oil which indicates impending problems. Both Telkonet and BPL Global have been working to prove Telkonet's PLC solutions in the field with a large utility in the southwest. Recently, Serveron carried out extensive laboratory tests on the next-generation Telkonet Series 5^TM platform launched earlier this year, designed specifically for demanding industrial applications, such as substations and power plants. Telkonet Series 5^TM has now received full approval for use with Serveron on-line transformer monitors in substation monitoring applications.

"We are confident that Telkonet represents an ideal partner for our Serveron monitors, enabling us to offer a cost-effective alternative to wireless and cell-based options, or even a temporary solution while fiber is being installed," said Steve Jennings, Chief Marketing Officer of BPL Global. "Above all, we have been extremely impressed at the resilience of Telkonet's technology, making it an ideal platform for the harsh and demanding substation environment."

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a proposal by New Visions Powerline Communications to deploy BPL throughout the county in the state of New York. Now that New Visions has received local approval to deploy, it will seek funding for the project as well as agreements with utilities to access the poles and wires for the BPL equipment. New Visions is considering providing residential broadband and institutional networks for government communications. Although no firm subscription costs have been established, Carmen Branca, President of New Visions, said during his initial presentation to county officials in May that residential fees would typically be in the $30 to $60 per month range, depending on services provided.

According to a survey conducted by the county, there is a shortage of broadband access. The survey found that 95 percent of the respondents had personal computers in their home, but only about 49 percent had potential access to high-speed Internet or connections - most of which was cable service in more densely populated centers. About 38 percent of people using the Internet connect with a slow dial-up service. About 49 percent said they used home computers to access their work or office.

Telkonet, a BPL in-building provider, announced late last month that it has received "Permitted" status from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its Federal Information Processing Standards 140-2-validated, powerline communications products for networking applications. "The acceptance of a 'Permitted' technology represents a significant and valuable milestone, underlining Telkonet's ability to provide world-class, enterprise powerline networking technologies in the highly stringent and secure government networking space," said Jason Tienor, President and CEO of Telkonet. "This is an important achievement for Telkonet, resulting from many months' work to evaluate and test our products with the [TSA] and U.S. Army's Technology Integration Center. We are pleased with the results and we look forward to assisting DHS to meet its future mission and strategic goals." The Telkonet iWire^TM System has been installed to support TSA's High-Speed Operational Connectivity (Hi-SOC) program, with Telkonet providing the underpinning network connectivity for data and Voice over IP.

Even if you have no immediate plans to deploy BPL on your distribution grid, IEEE could be about to implement BPL standards that could effectively prevent you from deploying it on your distribution grid in the future for broadband access or Advanced Metering / Smart Grid applications. On Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at 2:00 pm Eastern US Time, the United Power Line Council (UPLC) and the Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) will jointly sponsor a conference call briefing on the state of Broadband over Power Line (BPL) standards development with specific attention paid to how certain IEEE standards, slated for approval next month, could adversely impact your ability to use BPL for broadband access or Advanced Metering / Smart Grid applications.

All members of UPLC and UTC are strongly encouraged to assign someone to attend this critically important conference call. Please RSVP to Kristy Weinshel, UTC/UPLC Membership Director, for the call-in information. This call is only open to UTC and UPLC members. For more information, click here.

The United Power Line Council is hosting its Annual Conference, Broadband Power Line 2008 from September 10-12, 2008 at the Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria in Houston, TX. The conference is the best place to learn about the current BPL trends including its role in Smart Grid applications, community broadband issues and other technology options. Attendees will receive a copy of the UPLC/UTC Research Report "New Directions for Broadband Over Power Line" as a part of their registration fee AND the opportunity to tour CenterPoint Energy's intelligent grid demonstration facility and see BPL in action. For more information or to register, visit the Broadband Power Line 2008 Web page or email meetings@utc.org.