Alliance seeks consensus for Broadband over Powerline

LONDON " The HomePlug Powerline Alliance is seeking comments from industry over the specifications likely to be required for delivering data at broadband speeds over powerlines.

The specifications will build on the work that went into developing the existing HomePlug standard for powerline communications.

The Alliance is also already finalizing its specification for HomePlug AV, a high-speed networking technology designed specifically for digital multimedia networks in the home.

Initial studies have already started for the so-called Broadband over Powerline (BPL), and the alliance now wants more involvement from service providers, network operators and technology developers to define a specification.

For instance, the HomePlug Alliance has started working with other industry organizations such as the IEEE, and committees have been established to drive the BPL specification forward."Standards allowed the Internet to flourish," commented Earthlink's Brian Wenger who is heading up the HomePlug BPL effort, "When no standard exists, customers hesitate, and the market growth slows. The Alliance's efforts could potentially turn every power outlet in the world into an Internet connection."

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance currently has about 50 members, including Conexant, Intellon, Arkados, Cogency Semiconductor, Sharp, Comcast, Earthlink, Panasonic and RadioShack.