Transcript Broadband Over Power Lines In the U.S.

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Broadband Over Power Lines
In the U.S.
FCC UPDATE
Bruce Romano
Associate Chief
Office of Engineering and Technology
Federal Communications Commission
6 April 2005
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WHY?
Reactive
Proactive
• Why we need rules to foster
Development of BP
• Why we need rules to foster
Development of BP
• Technical, Mechanical
• Policy considerations
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Why an FCC Role in BPL?
BPL is just electrical signals on a wire that already
carries electrical signals
BPL is not wireless or radio operation
BPL is an unlicensed carrier current device
(Part 15 unintentional radiator)
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Two Types of BPL
IN-HOUSE BPL
In-Home Computer Networking, Or
Link Between Access BPL & Home
“Low Voltage” (120/240 VAC)
ACCESS BPL
Broadband (Internet) Access
“Medium Voltage” (e.g. 10kV)
Access BPL connects to
computers in the home by
in-house BPL or by WiFi
(wireless)
High Voltage
Medium Voltage
~ 1kVolts to 40 kVolts
~ MVolts
Coupler
Power
Generation
Plant
Low Voltage
Substation
Backhaul
Point
(Gateway)
~ 120/240 Volts
Repeater
LV
Distribution
Transformer
Power Line
Interface Device
Located In Home
In some Access
implementations,
Access
BPL
these
physical links
are replaced by
wireless links
Internet
BPL signals are extracted here
& converted into/from traditional
communication packets for
appropriate communication direction
Aggregation
Point
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BPL Products
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Actual installation of Coupler and
Bridge at an aerial transformer
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Installed Bridge Pole Assembly at an
aerial transformer
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Actual installation of Coupler and
Bridge at an underground transformer
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Statutory Mandate of FCC
Section 301 of the Communications Act (47
U.S.C. 301) specifies:
“No person shall use or operate any apparatus for the
transmission of energy or communications or signals by
radio … except in accordance with this Act and with a
license in that behalf granted under the provisions of
this Act.”
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Background of Unlicensed Operations
Early on, the Commission recognized that
individually licensing all RF transmitting devices was
impractical
Mechanical light switches
Automotive ignition systems
Electric motors
Fluorescent lamps
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Regulation of Low-Power Devices (1)
In August 1938, Commission issued a notice for an
informal conference with the Chief Engineer on
proposed rules for low power radiofrequency devices
“Devices primarily used by the public that use
radiofrequency current as essential to their operation
and that may cause interference to radio
communications”
Hearing held in September 1938 with NAB, Philco,
AT&T and Westinghouse
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Regulation of Low-Power Devices (2)
Commission issued press release on November 21,
1938 (No. 30678) announcing adoption of rules for
low power radio-frequency electrical devices
No license needed if low-power device
Did not exceed certain field strength limit
Stay off certain “restricted band” frequencies
Did not cause interference
FCC would inspect and test devices
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47 C.F.R. Part 15
An extremely successful regulatory model that:
Protects licensed operators rights and benefits by
protecting their operations from harmful interference;
and
Promotes benefits to consumers through the availability
of desirable and affordable low power devices – that
can best be provided on an unlicensed (but not
unregulated) basis.
Part 15 devices at the Romano’s and
their neighbors
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2 Baby Monitors
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3 Cordless phones
1 Garage Door openers with 2 remotes
4 Car Keyless entry systems
2 Laptops + 5 PCs
2 WiFi devices
3 Ipods and MP-3 players
7 TVs (I HDTV)
7 AM/FM radios
1 RF remote
4 Set-top boxes
4 RC Toys
CEA estimates more than 348 million Part
15 consumer devices in US.
We’re doing our part
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Access BPL Rule Making
Notice of Inquiry – April 2003
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) –
February 2004
Report and Order
Adopted 14 October 2004, released 28 October 2004,
published in the Federal Register on 7 January 2005
ET Docket 04-37, FCC 04-245
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-04245A1.doc
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Objectives
Remove regulatory uncertainty to encourage investments in
BPL
Promote development of Access BPL technology to allow
consumers to reap its benefits
Ensure protection of licensed radio services
Study interference potential
Develop rules as needed
Ensure that compliance measurements are made in a
consistent manner with repeatable results
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Access BPL Rules (1)
Access BPL remains under Part 15 unlicensed
device rules (new Subpart G)
No change in existing Part 15 emission levels
(low power unlicensed operation)
Access BPL operations cannot cause harmful
interference and must accept any interference (47
C.F.R §15.5)
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Access BPL Rules (2)
Access BPL cannot operate on certain “excluded
frequency bands”
Specifically, the following 12 Aeronautical (R)
frequencies (communications restricted to safety and
regularity of flight):
2850-3025 kHz
3400-3500 kHz
4650-4700 kHz
5450-5680 kHz
6525-6685 kHz
8815-8965 kHz
10005-10100 kHz
11275-11400 kHz
13260-13360 kHz
17900-17970 kHz
21924-22000 kHz
74.8-75.2 MHz
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Access BPL Rules (3)
Establish “exclusion zones” within which Access
BPL must avoid operating on certain frequencies
Access BPL must avoid using 2182 kHz (2173.52190.5 kHz) within 1 km of a U.S. Coast Guard or
maritime public coast station
Access BPL using overhead power lines must avoid
using 73-74.6 MHz within 29 km of ten radio
astronomy sites (Very Long Baseline Array facilities)
Access BPL using underground power lines or
overhead low voltage power lines must avoid using
73-74.6 MHz within 11 km of these ten radio
astronomy sites
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Access BPL Rules (4)
Access BPL must include adaptive interference
mitigation capabilities to avoid local and sitespecific interference, e.g.
Exclude or “notch” any specific frequency or
band
Remotely modify the operation of or, if
necessary, shut off any BPL device
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Access BPL Rules (5)
Establish “consultation requirements” for BPL
with public safety, and certain sensitive federal and
aeronautical stations
Establish a “good faith” process to ensure that
Access BPL systems do not cause interference; and
Any restrictions by licensees on BPL are only those
necessary to avoid interference
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Access BPL Rules (6a)
Requires industry to establish a publicly accessible
database for Access BPL systems containing:
30 days prior to beginning operation
Access BPL Provider Name
Access BPL deployment by zip code
Frequency bands of operation
Type of equipment (FCC ID)
Contact Information (phone number and email address) to
facilitate interference resolution
Proposed or Actual date of Access BPL operation
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Access BPL Rules (6b)
Database Requirements
The industry will select the database administrator
and must inform the Commission within 180 days
of publication of Report and Order in the Federal
Register (before July, 2005)
The Commission will issue a Public Notice
announcing the identity of the database
administrator
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Access BPL Rules (7)
Changes equipment authorization requirements for
Access BPL devices from Verification to FCC
Certification, to be carried out by the BPL
manufacturer
Under Verification, the manufacturer determines the
equipment is compliant and no data is submitted to the
FCC unless requested. No labeling requirement except
unique product identifier.
Certification is an equipment authorization issued by
the FCC and requires manufacturers to submit testing
and measurement data to the FCC. Requires labeling
of equipment to show FCC approval.
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Access BPL Equipment Authorization
Test and
Evaluate
Product to
Determine
Compliance
Prepare Test
Report and
Application
Submit
Application
to TCB –
new
technology,
not
permitted
Submit
Application
to FCC
F
C
C
G
R
A
N
T
Label
Product
Market
Product
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Access BPL Rules (8)
Provide new measurement procedures and
guidelines to ensure that testing of Access BPL and
other carrier current devices is performed in a more
consistent and repeatable manner. 3 “typical”
overhead & 3 “typical” underground installations.
Recommend that BPL operators perform testing
during initial installation, using a site typical for its
own operation, and periodically to ensure
compliance
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Mitigation Responsibility
Protection of Licensed Radio Services is provided by:
the emissions limits for Access BPL systems (low Part 15 levels)
the provisions for consultation areas, excluded bands, and
exclusion zones; and
the requirement that Access BPL systems not cause interference.
The mitigation requirements are intended to ensure
that Access BPL systems are designed with features
that support interference mitigation
during initial installation, if sensitive local communications
systems are identified in advance; and
after installation, the newly required operational capabilities will
allow Access BPL system operators to expeditiously resolve any
instances of interference that may occur, without the need to cease
operations and thereby disrupt the broadband data services they
provide to their subscribers.
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Transition Time
Rules effective 30 days from publication of BPL Report
and Order in Federal Register (i.e. now)
for all new BPL equipment
Transition time
Equipment:18 months for BPL equipment already installed,
manufactured or imported before the above deadline (mid
2006)
Database: 180 days (July)
Coordination: 45 days (now)
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Other Issues/Next Steps
Some Outstanding Interference Complaints
13 Petitions for Reconsideration
Helping Local Government on BPL Regulatory
Issues
NARUC
IAC (Intergovernmental Advisory Council)
Continuing to work with NTIA and FERC
Cooperating with our neighbors on BPL (Canada)
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The Future of BPL
The adoption of these rules will remove uncertainty for
manufacturers/operators, for utilities, and for the moneybags who can
finance.*
The FCC has adopted minimal technical and administrative rules intended
to create a positive growth environment for BPL and to facilitate
investments in this technology
The concerns with BPL potential interference issues are addressed by
adopting the necessary restrictions on BPL operations to protect licensed
radio services
The adoption of a reasonable mechanism for interference resolution
allows BPL operators to continue to provide uninterrupted service to their
subscribers while addressing interference complaints
The future of BPL will depend on BPL investments and innovative
business plans
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U.S.A. BPL Activity (publicly announced)
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FCC Interest in BPL
The FCC does not pick winners; we have no favorite
technology
The FCC does have a goal of increasing broadband
access for all Americans
In line with U.S. Government goal
Has potential to provide service in unserved and
underserved areas, as well as increase competition in
the provision of service.*
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Notable Cheerleaders of BPL
Former FCC Chairman Powell is a cheerleader of BPL technology
New FCC Chairman Martin has supported BPL as a Commissioner
They are in good company with:
President Bush: (“There need to be technical standards to make possible new
broadband technologies, such as the use of high speed communications directly
over power lines.”)
NTIA: (Conducted technical study, supported adoption of rules, Asst. Secretary
Gallagher attended meeting at which rules were adopted, and provided press
conference afterwards.)
FERC Chairman Wood: (Attended demo, joint statement with FCC)
FERC Commissioners Nora Brownell & SueDeen Kelley (Attended, press
conference)
CA State Commissioner Susan Kennedy: (“The overwhelming message is that
[BPL is] real. It’s tangible.”)
Additional State Commissioners
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Joint Statement FCC-FERC
Ubiquitous broadband deployment is important to the economic,
educational, social, medical and cultural welfare of the country.
The provision of high-speed communications capabilities over
utility poles and electric power lines (Access BPL) provides an
opportunity to increase the competitive broadband choices that
are available to [the public]
Access BPL may help provide additional power supply system
communications and control capabilities to improve reliability
and efficiency.
These services should be allowed to develop according to market
demands with minimal regulation.
Utilities are urged to pursue these opportunities.
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Benefits of BPL
“Last Mile” solution: potential 3rd Pipe (+ DSL & Cable) to
bring broadband services to the home
VOIP – Telephone service where no phone line
Promote redundancy of communications systems
Improve utilities’ management of electric grid:
remote power outage notification, load management, traffic
control, remote meter reading
Provide myriad municipal function (especially attractive to
municipally owned utilities)
Enhance security of energy distribution systems, thereby
enhancing national security
Foster development of smart appliances and resource sharing
(home networking)
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Current uses BPL to provide end-to-end
communications services and enhanced utility
services using the existing power grid
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Local Impediments
In some states, current service providers have
succeeded in having measures introduced to state
legislatures to prohibit provision of any broadband
service by governmental entity (extends beyond
BPL).
Some parties have challenged whether utilities have
the legal authority to offer such service –
particularly involved with respect to municipally
owned utilities
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http://www.fcc.gov/oet/info/documents/isplc2005/