DirecTV Unveils BPL PlansVoIP, BPL & DBS bundles in Texas... ( old news - 08:49AM Wednesday Aug 15 2007) tags: business · BPL · DIRECTVAs they had hinted at previously, DirecTV says they'll be dipping their toe into the broadband over powerline (BPL) business. Starting at the end of this year or early next year, the company will begin selling a satellite TV, BPL and VoIP bundle in conjunction with Current Communications in the Dallas area. The company's press release notes that the Dallas BPL network "will cover
approximately 1.8 million homes and businesses over the next several years." The company says they'll expand the offering to additional markets as Current expands their network. "Our agreement with CURRENT gives our customers another high-quality, easy-to-use option to pair broadband services with DIRECTV's video offerings," said Evan Grayer, vice president of Broadband for DIRECTV. "By choosing this bundled option, DIRECTV customers will now be able to enjoy fast, reliable and secure high-speed Internet service anywhere they have a power outlet in their homes." DirecTV's exploration could be a very limited engagement, given BPL's growing pains and Current's limited footprint (they only offer service in parts of Dallas and Cincinnati). It's possible Current's network may not substantially expand, since that depends on utilities being interested in offering broadband (many aren't). Then of course there's the longstanding interference concern. The ARRL's Ed Hare recently stopped by our forums to discuss the progress that's being made with BPL interference, noting that Current had been cooperative: "Current Technologies, the BPL manufacturer whose equipment is being used in Cincinnati, OH and Dallas, TX uses HomePlug technology on the 240-volt wiring, and 32-48 MHz on overhead power lines. The result? In both cities, BPL is deploying without major interference problems." Still, we'd avoid calling 2007 "the year of BPL" if history is any indication. It's very unlikely this service will ever reach a significant portion of DirecTV customers.
Related:- DirecTV, Current Offer Broadband Over Powerline
- Comcast HD Image Quality Vs. FiOS
- BPL: Only 4,776 Subscribers
- DirecTV Not Interested In Clearwire....Yet
- Dish Network To Offer 1080P HD Tomorrow
- Dish Discussing Merger With DirecTV
- DirecTV Retains Customers and Increases Revenue
- DirecTV To Offer MPEG-4 HD TiVO
|
 
Mactron
el Camino Real
Premium
join:2001-12-16
CM94sv
| Time for Dish ?.. "...and 32-48 MHz on overhead power lines. The result? In both cities, BPL is deploying without major interference problems."
It better be this system or it may be time to rethink my DTV subscriptions. Time for Dish ? 
--
If only the Verizon CSRs worked this well. | |
|  | 
Transmaster
Onward Through The Fog
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY | Re: Time for Dish ?.. 32-48 Mhz will get them into military frequencies, By all means come on over to Dish network you will not be sorry.
--
Remember safe sex does not prevent crabs. | |
| 
Jon
Premium
join:2001-01-20
Lisle, IL | What speeds... will they be able to offer? | |
| | 
TechieZero
Tools Are Using Me
Premium
join:2002-01-25
Wesley Chapel, FL | Re: What speeds... said by Jon  :will they be able to offer? I am curious about this too. | |
| 
inteller
Sociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK | Always Be Cobbling.... ....never in my life have I seen such a cobbled together infrastructure. All they are missing is two cans and a string for VoIP.
--
"WHEN THE LAUGH TRACK STARTS THEN THE FUN STARTS!" | |
| | | tomp0624
join:2001-01-16
Levittown, PA | Re: Interference Concerns Agree.....No BPL. It does interfere with HAM Radio and I am 36. | |
| | 
paul paul
@comcast.net
| So how many of these HAM operators are under the age of 45? Who cares about interference ... we are talking about Internet here that could perform the same functions those same radio waves do for you HAM operators!
I want choices for Internet and it would amazing to have some form of broadband available right through your electrical outlet(not fast, but it would be broadband).
Old foggies stop with your nonsense and holding onto the past, which is slowing down the future. You all sound like the RIAA! Let's move forward! | |
| | MrBentor
join:2003-02-18
Seattle, WA
| Re: So how many of these HAM operators are under the age of 45? The HAM users are only a very small group of users of the affected spectrum, however they are quite vocal.
This affects all wireless users, including business bands, fire and rescue, private two-way, fixed wireless, cellular, aviation, marine, radio dispatch, wireless broadband, etc. | |
|
TechieZero
Tools Are Using Me
Premium
join:2002-01-25
Wesley Chapel, FL
|  Negativity
Blah, blah, blah --- radio interference. Who the f-k cares? They are making efforts to reduce interference concerns, and how about the ham radio guys trying to keep up w/ the times? Upgrade the friggin tech already --- here is a word you radio guys need to know --- INNOVATION. Get some of it. You guys are the minority --- pick up the slack. Stop hosing it for MANY others.
Also --- do you really think DTV is going to get messed up as a result of this and kill their bread and butter? | |
| | moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: Negativity said by TechieZero :I don't understand why ppl want to beat this down so much. Many are whining about not getting competition or even the opportunity for broadband in their neighborhood --- and here is a possible solution. If you don't know why people are complaining then read your second paragraph. 
said by TechieZero :Blah, blah, blah --- radio interference. Who the f-k cares? They are making efforts to reduce interference concerns, and how about the ham radio guys trying to keep up w/ the times? Upgrade the friggin tech already --- here is a word you radio guys need to know --- INNOVATION. Get some of it. You guys are the minority --- pick up the slack. Stop hosing it for MANY others. If you think BPL will only kill Amateur Radio, then you need to do a bit more research before you start spouting off what you have very little knowledge about. Certain forms of BPL are taking out massive amounts of spectrum. Those systems are still in use and still causing problem.
Any some BPL operators who wanted to work with the amateurs in the beginning then changed their tune and said there was no problem.
said by TechieZero :Also --- do you really think DTV is going to get messed up as a result of this and kill their bread and butter? Excite@Home is one example of a partnership gone wrong in a big way. | |
| 
wilbarger
join:2001-06-06
Quinlan, TX | Here we go again! 
I guess the metroplex needs another option. Get it out here in the sticks where it is really needed.
--
Legalize Freedom | |
| | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
·XMission
| Re: Here we go again! said by wilbarger : I guess the metroplex needs another option. Get it out here in the sticks where it is really needed. Sorry, not feasible except close in and in more densely populated ares. Almost anything else is hype.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time. | |
| | |
wilbarger
join:2001-06-06
Quinlan, TX
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Re: Here we go again! I don't know why it would not be the ultimate solution for the people in the country. We do get electricity, you know. I guess since most of us are not on a major power companies grid, the mom and pop distributors would not spend the capital to upgrade or add any cost to their systems. I just get sick of having to deal with wireless as it is unreliable in my area, but not enough that I will ever move back to the city. I love the fact that my front yard ends at the lake.
--
Legalize Freedom | |
| | | | RayW
Premium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
clubs:
·XMission
| Re: Here we go again! said by wilbarger :I don't know why it would not be the ultimate solution for the people in the country. We do get electricity, you know. I guess since most of us are not on a major power companies grid, the mom and pop distributors would not spend the capital to upgrade or add any cost to their systems. I just get sick of having to deal with wireless as it is unreliable in my area, but not enough that I will ever move back to the city. I love the fact that my front yard ends at the lake. Worse than that. Consider - power lines are designed to move a VERY low frequency signal (Voltage) at a high current for many miles. It is not designed as an RF line. In order to use it at the frequencies required (mostly wide-band 1.7 MHz to 80 MHz) you will have a problem with attenuation both as a function of distance and frequency, this will mean many amplifiers in both directions, I think I recall that the amplifier requirements are about 6-8 per mile. At $500-1000 per amplifier, that is not cheap. Plus every transformer has to have a bypass system, that is another $1-5K (most likely for up to 4 customers, maybe). And remember, unlike fiber and coax, power lines are extremely susceptible to high voltage surges (300 mega-volts or even higher) from lightning strikes. That means a potential larger repair bill.
Plus all the YADA-YADA about using what amounts to a very efficient radiator of HF radio frequencies that may eventually have international treaty implications as the sun spot cycle starts reaching its peak 4-6 years from now.
--
I am not lost, I find myself every time. | |
| Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Pittsburgh, PA | If power companies were really interested... in getting into the broadband business they would string fiber optic lines alongside their power lines. | |
| | 
brooklynman4
join:2004-09-07
Brooklyn, NY | Re: If power companies were really interested... Pretty soon u will be hearing nasa through ure electric line lol | |
| 
dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ | Where? Is FAP in all this? | |
|
dsl tech
@comcast.net | Remember DirecTV DSL? Hughes bailed out and aquired telocity for some millions only to close its doors within 2 years... | |
| tomp0624
join:2001-01-16
Levittown, PA | New freq for BPl I think it should run around 800-900Mhz or around 1.9GHZ. Then people will really complain about how it interferes with wireless services | |
| | | |
|
|
·
·