The United States' comms regulator, the FCC, has given its blessing to powerline broadband.

The FCC chairman toured a home with 40 year-old wiring running powerline broadband. Reportedly, no modifications to the home's wiring were required, and speeds were touted to be "four times faster than dialup" (which probably translates to 256Kbit.)

A Reuters report quotes the Chairman, Michael Powell, as saying: "I'm a little bummed it's not (available) in my area."

The company responsible for the breakthrough, Current Technology, is planning to offer the service to US householders for $AU49 a month. Customers need only pick up an $AU115 modem 'the size of a pack of cards'. (See powerline modems here).

One of the power utilities planning on offering the service is Pepco. The President of that company predicts that government and regulators will be keen to encourage the product as it would stimulate competition in the broadband marketplace.

LINKS

• New technology to deliver high-speed Net access via power lines (USA Today)
• FCC's Powell lauds power-line Internet service (Reuters)
• Google News Coverage