Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Robert Schwaninger On BPL

From: Marcelrf <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 18:00:00 -0500

-------- Original Message --------
From:	Robert Schwaninger <[email-masked]>
Subject:	BPL

The discussion regarding the FCC's proposed launch of BPL has netted comments from many that address the interference potential, the economic advantages and disadvantages and, as I always depend upon, some practical considerations from people who do not restrict their movements to the confines of ivory towers.  I see many problems with BPL which primarily focus on the practical aspects, i.e. the quality of the infrastructure upon which this service might be delivered.  Considering that my yard continues to have imbedded in it a 30-year-old power pole that is connected to nothing and thus should be removed, but which the local power company cannot give sufficient priority until it falls, I question the legitimacy of any claims that rely on the quality of power company infrastructure to provide even a modicum of protection for the legions of potentially adversely affected radio users.

The above considered, perhaps the greater problem is the effect that regulation of Part 15 devices will have on the appropriateness of the BPL plan.  Although the power company will deliver the service, the ultimate transceiver will likely be "sold" or "rented" to the customer, thus placing the customer as the person responsible for the operation of the device.  The admonitions under Part 15 that all such devices are operated at sufferance to licensed radio devices is only as powerful as the FCC's willingness to enforce those rules.  And, simply, the agency is not willing to enforce the rules against John Q.  Thus, the primary radiation source will be "guarded" by the ignorant and immune.  Why do I take no comfort?  The same reason I took no comfort in the way that the FCC handled interference complaints regarding the operation of UHF television antenna/amplifiers.  They simply stalled, dallied, tested, and engaged in more foot dragging that the industry has seen since the creation of the laughable "Best Practices Guide."

SBT will engage in a discussion of BPL at the IWCE during its "Jam Session."

There we will be gathering information and opinion for addressing the FCC's proposals.  I invite all to join in the discussion and add to my growing knowledge and leeriness regarding this topic.  It may be appropriate to pan the FCC's latest panacea, but remember, this is the same agency that thought that rf lightbulbs were a good idea.  After all, if they caused a problem, you could just unscrew them, right?  Too bad you can't do the same thing with the truth.

Robert

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