FCC Lends Regulatory Weight to Broadband Over Power Lines

WASHINGTON — In a move to increase competition in the Internet service provider industry, the Federal Communications Commission has opened the field of potential ISPs to power companies by reclassifying broadband over power line (BPL)-enabled Internet access as an information service. The rule change means BPL-enabled Internet will fall under the same regulatory regime as cable modem and DSL Internet services.

A longtime supporter of BPL-enabled Internet, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said the regulatory change would benefit consumers by encouraging increased competition in the ISP market.

“With today’s order the Commission takes another important step to promote the deployment of broadband infrastructure,” Martin said. “Specifically, by finding that BPL-enabled Internet access services are information services, the Commission provides the regulatory certainty necessary to foster competition between different broadband platform providers.”

According to FCC data on BPL-enabled Internet, utility companies — clustered mostly in the Northeast — provided less than 6,000 customers with Internet service over power lines as of 2005. Most of the companies offer BPL-enabled Internet on a trial basis as a way to provide a smart network monitoring solution.

In other words, few utility companies looked at BPL-enabled Internet under the old regulatory regime as an entry point into the residential broadband business.

The FCC’s decision does away with the biggest barrier to BPL-enabled Internet as a commercially viable business for utility companies, Eric Bangeman of ArsTechnica said.

“The biggest problem is skepticism on the part of the utilities that BPL deployments are worthwhile endeavors,” Bangeman said. “Even though BPL-enabled Internet can use existing infrastructure, there is still a significant investment in equipment and personnel required in order to get the service up and running.”

Last year, Google teamed with investment bank Goldman Sachs in funding BPL-enabled Internet provider Current Communications Group with $100 million in anticipation of the FCC regulatory change.

Current Communications Group offers BPL-enabled Internet service in and around Cincinnati, Ohio for $39.95 per month. Download speeds range from 512Kbps to 3.0Mbps.

“It is my hope that these actions will promote the growth and competitiveness of this service,” Martin said. “By encouraging the development of new technologies, such as BPL-enabled Internet, we can best achieve the President’s goal of universal broadband by the end of 2007.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

France Reinstates Age Verification Rule for EU Sites

France’s highest court, the Council of State, on Tuesday reinstated age verification rules for EU-based sites under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law, ruling in favor of the French government and against Hammy Media.

Whisper Fans Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Whisper Fans has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Utherverse Launches 'Red Light Center' Virtual World

Virtual reality and metaverse technology company Utherverse has launched its new virtual world, RedLightCenter.io.

European Commission Approves AV Guidelines, Unveils Prototype App

The European Commission on Monday released its final, approved guidelines for protecting minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and made public a “white label” age verification app intended to help sites and platforms comply with age verification rules under the DSA.

New Membership Site 'Sluts Corner' Launches

R18 Entertainment has launched a new membership site, SlutsCorner.com.

Roxie Rae Relaunches Site Through XSiteAbility

Roxie Rae has relaunched her site through XSiteAbility.

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

Show More