House resolution seeks FCC reconsideration of BPL

ARRL, formerly known as the American Radio Relay League, has expressed support for a proposed U.S. House of Representatives resolution that asks the FCC to “reconsider and review” its interference policies as they relate to broadband-over-powerline deployments.

An association that represents U.S. amateur-radio operators, ARRL has been critical of the FCC’s BPL order issued in October 2004, with ARRL spokesman Allen Pitts calling it a “rush to judgment.” Amateur-radio operators, or hams, have expressed concern that the order fails to safeguard their communications from harmful interference emitted by most BPL technologies that radiate energy from medium-voltage wires.

The House resolution, HRes 230, is sponsored by Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), who is one of two licensed amateur-radio operators in Congress, according to ARRL. Ross reportedly has expressed concern that BPL interference not only will harm ham-radio communications, it also could negatively impact public-safety communications — specifically, low-VHF-band communications and the federal interagency emergency SHARES (SHAred RESources) network.

Motorola recently announced a BPL solution dubbed Powerline LV that uses a wireless broadband link to bypass the medium-voltage lines in order to avoid harmful interference to other communications. Pitts said ARRL is not yet ready to endorse the Motorola BPL system but initial tests are “looking good.”