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Thread ID: 24569	2002-09-14 00:17:00	PLC is on its way ...	helvista (1745)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
79364	2002-09-14 00:17:00	UnitedNetworks have conducted home trials which provide broadband internet access through power lines (PLC = power line communications). Lucky Shore residents in Auckland for having the chance to be guinea pigs. The technology is expected to be ready for "general use" at the end of this year (fingers crossed). Imagine connecting ones modem into a 3 pin power plug :D. I wonder if it can make mochas as well? To learn more click here (www.nzherald.co.nz).	helvista (1745)
79365	2002-09-14 00:22:00	Imagine a power surge :) it really would fry your modem... or even better: lightning strike! :D Mike.	Mike (15)
79366	2002-09-14 00:24:00	I studied this technology in the UK in 1993. I tried it here, and it works, but the cost is horrendous. Unlike telecom, the power system has no natural connectivity to the telephone system, and requires every transformer kiosk/transformer pole or substation to have its own broad-band connection. The PLC signal does not travel through the transformer, which limits its usefulness to a couple of hundred metres from the originating controller at the transformer. In comparison ADSL distance is measured in kilometres and the signal can enter just one broadband link at the exchange. And dont forget, UNL has just been sold....	godfather (25)
79367	2002-09-14 03:29:00	Power companies want it to work. They can do away with meter readers if they can get a data link on the existing wires. If there's fibre past every substation, they can put the gear in each one, and reach 40-50 houses. With the US system with one transformer for just about every house, it's never going to be economic.	Graham L (2)
79368	2002-09-14 05:34:00	Sorry Graham, they cant do away with meter readers. Meters MUST be read at least annually (physically read) under the present Rules. Remote interrogation is not a physical read. In the scheme of things meter reading costs are quite low actually. Plus, the meters would need to be changed for meter/logger units, which again makes the whole thing less economic. But of course, the consumer pays anyway...	godfather (25)
79369	2002-09-14 05:47:00	I'm a from the northshore but not quite lucky enough to be allowed to test PLC, lol i'd really test it, I even rang up and asked if i could try but nooooooooo oh well, i believe the north shore will probably get it in the end and it'll provide competition to telecom which could mean lower prices.... maybe - David	DangerousDave (697)
79370	2002-09-14 06:28:00	Godfather, although it is true what you say with >Plus, the meters would need to be changed for meter/logger units, which again makes the whole thing less economic. That is only one very small step away from the units used for the CHCH "power manangers" (the prepay swipe@home power cards) except that the "swipecard" bit be exteranal PLC linked control in some office/server room somewhere.... Could work well for the power companys, when you run out of creds BLACKOUT just like with the prepay card. Plus an optional data connection on the same basis?	Chris Wilson (431)
79371	2002-09-14 06:39:00	True Chris, but once the figure of around 5% of the customer base has them fitted, thats about the limit. The other 95% don't want pre-pay (dont forget it adds about 50c/day to the cost). The next issue is that all Retailers have different systems, and if you want to change to another Retailer for your power, - guess what, on pre-pay/power manager systems, you cant. I installed a trial system that did just what you suggest (disconnect/reconnect via PLC) in 1993. It was $600 per site then, provided you can get 50-100 per site. The cost has not changed much. Compare that to a $45 meter and $6 per year to read.... There are some very good power manager systems out there, but again the cost is the point. Existing meters have in general, got until 2015 until they must be retested. Even then, around 1/2 of them will still be OK for many years, power companies paid huge money for them in the deregulation process and won't willingly spent another large sum for no greater return. Of course you could be like me, and own your own meters....	godfather (25)
79372	2002-09-14 06:48:00	>Of course you could be like me, and own your own meters Given that i am looking at re-building before the end of the year, perhaps i should look into that option...... I'm wondering if PLC might become an option in villages on phone exchanges telecom don't want to throw $$ at. There certainly will be a few places where the first broadband provider to set up will be unlikely to get any compitition for some time.	Chris Wilson (431)
79373	2002-09-14 06:54:00	You wont be friends with your Retailer if you own your own meters, they have trouble understanding the concept. Plus they need to be tested, certified and installed by accredited people, not the local sparky. I happen to be in a unique position, so I like pushing the envelope a bit... I think the real benefit of PLC broadband is, as you note, it will act as a price controller, as Telecos will price down to it if it can be competitive. But same can be said for wireless systems.	godfather (25)
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