Q. 1. What is Broadband over powerline or BPL?

A.  BPL is s system that is being tested to provide broadband internet service
via powerlines. A device in the home plugs into a normal wall outlet and
typically provides an Ethernet connection to a computer or home network.

Q: 2. Does BPL work?

A.  From consumer point of view and what has been done from test area,
yes . So far, BPL systems installed are generally small, and how well they
work when built out to cover a wider area and more customers remains to be seen, though, there are few if any heavily loaded system.  However, one would
expect the behavior of BPL network to resemble that of a shared mediumlike
cable or wireless.

Q: 3. Is BPL the same as wireless broadband?

A:  NO. BPL affects wireless radio spectrum but does not actually use wireless
spectrum through the air to transmit data.

Q: 4. What are the Benefits of BPL?

A:  The aim BPL is to have every powerline activated with BPL and have BPL
 networks within homes. With the advent of inexpensive chipsets, every
appliance in the home could easily be networked without additional wiring.
Utilities could use BPL to manage network elements within the power grid and
perform automatic meter reading AMR. One major advantage of BPL is wiring
infrastructure. So costly copper tristed or fiber would not have to be run.
While this may be seen as a major advantage, the work and cost to light up
every power line with BPL is significant.

Q: 5. If the power goes out in an area, BPL interference will go out as well, so
Hams could then provide emergency services, so what is the problem?

A:  Amateurs need to maintain equipment and practice skills needed before a
disaster occurs. If the equipment is unusable during regular times, what is the
motivation even to buy equipment? Another thing to consider is that emergency
stations need to be able to communicate out to areas that do have power.