Then distance limitations of existing technology plus the cost of backhaul connections to the internet dampened expectations that BPL would bring broadband to rural communities anytime soon.
Incumbent broadband firms still argue that BPL doesn't have an advantage in reaching underserved communities, yet rural co-ops aren't listening and in 2005 the first low-cost federal broadband loans were secured for BPL deployments at rural electric cooperatives.
Reportedly dozen more co-ops are taking steps to get such federal funds for new BPL networks.
The economic, municipal and utility benefits of deploying high-speed internet and the myriad of other services it can deliver make rural deployments more urgent than ever and increasingly BPL is finding its place in meeting such demand in rural areas.
On February 13, 2006 BPL Today assembled a panel of industry leaders who know the truth about rural BPL because they're creating the cutting edge of this evolving market:
Mike Bates, vice president of marketing, Broadband Horizons, the Blanco, Texas BPL integrator who's rural BPL deployments caught the attention of Texas lawmaker Troy Fraser, who went on to create the first state-level BPL provisions in the US. Broadband Horizons is an established leader in the rural BPL and wireless network arena and Bates brings a technology-neutral perspective on where the industry is today and where it's headed.
Scott Lee, CEO, International Broadband Electric Communications (IBEC), the Huntsville, Ala BPL vendor and service provider delivering soup-to-nuts BPL service geared to rural electric cooperatives. The firm worked closely with the Agriculture Dept's rural utility service (RUS) loan office to land $19 million -- the first low-cost loan from that office for BPL. Lee reported that 20 more co-ops were signing deals with his firm to take part in the next RUS loan application from IBEC expected soon. In a separate report, Lee told us IBEC had broken rule-of-thumb distance barriers by sending a reliable broadband signal 13 miles to a rural customer.
Mike McWaters, CEO, Wiregrass Electric Cooperative, brings a cooperative utility perspective on BPL, why it's being chosen by some co-ops, how it's being financed and how well the technology has delivered on its promised services and benefits.
Hear the full discussion unabridged by purchasing the on-demand version for just $129 or the 90-minute audio CD recording for $150 today!
Testimonials:
"The program was a good platform as to where the technology is today verses 5 years ago."
-- Brad Bauman, Manager of Member Services, Sun River Electric Cooperative
"[I liked] hearing the experience from the 3 pilot projects and answers to the questions phoned in."
-- John Bzura, Principal Engineer, National Grid
