BPL Sample Letter

Sample Letter to the Editor on BPL

To the Editor:

In response to the recent article (insert title/date) extolling the virtues of Broadband over Power Lines, or BPL, you and your readers need to know that there is another, darker, side to the story.

For all of its potential benefits, BPL also produces a huge amount of radio noise, or interference, over a broad range of frequencies that can affect all sorts of licensed radio services, from police, fire and emergency medical services to international broadcasting and worldwide ham radio communications. In addition, non-licensed but popular radio services, such as CB and radio-controlled models, could also be affected.

Interference to these services would be strong and continuous and could cover the entire shortwave and low-VHF portions of the radio spectrum. Interference from these services could knock out Internet access for any users within range whenever any nearby transmitter goes on the air. Several federal agencies fear that BPL interference could pose a danger to public safety and national security.

 BPL system designers have tried to address the problem by “notching out” certain frequencies, but with only limited success. Yet BPL implementation cannot go forward without solving the interference problem, because for very good and obvious reasons it is a violation of FCC regulations for a BPL system to cause radio interference. If BPL causes interference - and it does - the BPL system must be shut down.

For the most part, proponents of BPL deny these problems exist or could exist … despite objective tests by ARRL - the National Association for Amateur Radio, and others, showing that massive interference can and will be a huge problem wherever BPL is deployed. Additional technical studies are ongoing. Utilities deciding whether to implement BPL in various areas (or insert specific area) must ensure that licensed users of the radio spectrum are fully protected - as FCC regulations require. This is the only way to meet the continuing needs of the community and the nation for efficient and effective radio communication on the shortwave and low VHF bands.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

____________

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