Australian BPL-related submissions express concerns

August 3, 2005 -- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) says the majority of the 275 submissions to its BPL Discussion Paper show a high level of concern regarding BPL interference and its management. The lion's share of the submissions--222 in all--came from radio amateurs. Others were from telecommunications companies, broadcasters and government agencies. One commenter, telecoms provider Optus, recommended a "cautious approach" and expressed concern over potential BPL interference to its cable services as well as over the issue of regulatory and competition certainty. Broadband cable and DSL provider Telstra worried about interference to its broadband and HF radio services saying its calculations indicate "ubiquitous BPL could have serious consequences for cable modem networks" and could lead to "significant degradation of VDSL in cases where power and telecommunications lines are in close proximity." Commenting through their industry association--the Personal Emergency Response Services Association (PERSA), medical alarm providers concluded that electromagnetic interference from BPL to PERS is potentially severe, continuous and widespread. "BPL interference could prevent a call for assistance in a life-threatening situation, resulting in death or injury," PERSA asserted. Not surprisingly, submissions from the BPL industry recommend less-onerous management techniques, although power company Bytecan did acknowledge interference to various services and devices during its tests. Others commenting included CB radio, model aircraft enthusiasts, outback radio users and equipment suppliers.--Phil Wait, VK2DKN/Wireless Institute of Australia

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