[Yaesu] [Fwd: It looks like BPL is being offered in Manassas, VA]

2003年10月22日 10:42:42 -0700

Hi, folks:
I just sent this to the Potomac News reporter who wrote the article.
73,
Dick W1NMZ
> Dear Sari:
>> Interesting article, but I don't see any mention of the electronic interference
> this technology will will cause. It operates over a frequency range of 2 MHz to
> 80 MHz. This includes long range, short wave communications used by international
> broadcasters (including Voice of America), as well as U.S. Government agencies
> such as the State and Defense Departments. It will also interfere with amateur and
> Citizens' Band radio communications.
>> I'm an electronics engineer retired from Lockheed Martin, where I specialized in
> preventing, detecting and eliminating electronic interference for more than 20 years.
>> You might want to look into the electronic interference aspects of this technology,
> which is called Broadband on Power Lines (BPL).
>> I'll be glad to provide what assistance you may need if you and/or The Potomac News
> decide to look into this.
>> Regards,
>> Dick Ertman
>> > Innovative Web access to shock Manassas
> >
> > SARI KREIGER
> > [email protected]
> > Saturday, October 18, 2003
> >
> > Manassas residents will soon be the first in the United States to buy
> > Internet access over city power lines.
> >
> > The City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to grant a franchise to
> > Prospect Street Broadband, LLC., bringing a year-long preparation
> > process to fruition.
> >
> > Residents can purchase the service within 120 days of the contract
> > signing, which is expected to occur next week, according to Energy
> > Services Manager Brett Massey.
> >
> > In May 2002, a small pilot group of city residents and businesses began
> > using the service. A modem is plugged into the electrical outlet on one
> > end, and the computer on the other, to gain high-speed access to the
> > Internet.
> >
> > "They were very impressed by the speed, reliability and flexibility,"
> > said Utilities Director Allen Todd.
> >
> > Freda Wallace, an administrative assistant with Robert Loveless
> > Architecture in Old Town Manassas said the company has been receiving
> > the service since February.
> >
> > "We've had good service with it," Wallace said. "The only time it has
> > been down is because of our equipment, or because they're testing
> > something on the lines because it is a pilot program."
> >
> > The Connecticut-based company that received the franchise will be
> > responsible for the equipment, connection, monthly billing, advertising
> > and 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week customer support. The city will
> > expand the current fiber network, which is almost complete, update
> > optical electronics and install and maintain equipment external to the
> > residents' homes.
> >
> > "The grantee will be providing most of the capital of this project and
> > assume most of the risk," said John Hewa, assistant electric director
> > for the City of Manassas. "There's very little financial risk to the
> > city."
> >
> > John F. Berry, chairman and CEO of Prospect Street Broadband, said the
> > service is very easy to use and no special training is necessary.
> > Residents can purchase the service and obtain access from any city outlet.
> >
> > "You sign up once and you can sign on at home, a friend's house, the ice
> > skating rink, where ever," Berry said.
> >
> > If residents opt for this Internet service provider, they will pay
> > approximately half of normal high-speed access, as the tentative service
> > price is 29ドル.95 a month for residents, and 69ドル.95 for commercial access.
> >
> > "It will be competitively priced and a quality service," said Vice Mayor
> > Harry J. Parrish II.
> >
> > Wallace said the service was comparable in speed to any DSL program
> > available. "It's very fast," she said.
> >
> > And as a fringe benefit, the city can also monitor power outages through
> > this technology. Todd said the city has been trying for years to achieve
> > that capability.
> >
> > Two bids were received on Sept. 8, and Todd said the city spent a
> > considerable amount of time examining both proposals to ensure the best
> > outcome for residents.
> >
> > "We've never had a franchise quite like this before," Todd said. "We
> > wanted to make sure we had measures that would protect the services we
> > promise the citizens."
> >
> > The contract that the council voted to approve calls for a 10-year term,
> > with a five-year extension. A minimum payment of 24,000ドル after the first
> > year, and 124,000ドル after the second and third year is guaranteed to the
> > city. Initial figures project that Manassas could receive up to 4ドル.5
> > million in revenue after the 10-year period.
> >
> > Councilman Ulysses X. White questioned city staff about future price
> > hikes, as he was reminiscent of a similar situation with cable
> > television in the city.
> >
> > But Todd said with competition available, residents wouldn't be stuck
> > with high bills and no options. Rather, this new offer gives residents
> > exactly that -- options.
> >
> > Councilman Eugene R. Rainville said residents will benefit from an extra
> > use of the electrical system their tax dollars already fund.
> >
> > "Now they can get Internet at a low price," Rainville said. "I would
> > encourage all of our citizens to at least look at it as an alternative."
> >
> > And according to Parrish, residents may receive an added bonus if enough
> > people patronize this service.
> >
> > "It looks like the council might have the opportunity to look at tax
> > reduction," Parrish said.