I found this article at zdnet.com and thought it may be a good idea to mention it. AT&T uses power lines to build high-speed wireless broadband networks Project AirGig aims to give multi-gigabit wireless Internet to urban and underserved regions worldwide. http://www.zdnet.com/article/at-t-uses-power-lines-to-build-high-speed-wireless-broadband-networks/
Explain how millimeter wave (mmWave) signals will cause problems for Amateur Radio. Just wondering, Mike NR5O
I gave them a call about this when I saw this on the news -- not available in my area -- so back to the BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) controversy again Fred KA4RUR.....
Yes, they plainly state that there is NO direct connection to the power lines. Currently, I see this very similar to the cell network type of system and not a threat to our service.
It will cause RFI -- With broadband over power lines, or BPL, you can plug your computer into any electrical outlet in your home and instantly have access to high-speed Internet ... It was a big thing going on some years ago about this technology and what it could do to ham bands .. ka4rur
YAH BPL as I recalled got it's start in about 2003 and the very FIRST area to have it was "MANASSAS, VA" so any doubters out here who have Ham-friends THERE can ask them about their experiences!!! I don't really understand WHY they're starting BPL all over again as ALL the various other tries were FINANCIAL FLOPS, as well as catching HELL from the local "Ham communities" where it was initiated, and rightly so!!!
While I can understand the concern, obviously the old school BPL was a disaster and a proven RFI source, this technology is quite different. Note the term "millimeter waves" frequencies between 30Ghz and 300 GHz-do a little research,try this webpage-http://electronicdesign.com/communications/millimeter-waves-will-expand-wireless-future This certainly should not affect HF-the only question may be with amateur allocations in that millimeter wave region. From what I've seen so far it appears the power line is used as a waveguide to some degree. Perhaps Chip W1YW will chime in, his knowledge of such areas is quite respectable.
Additionally-it appears that these wavelengths are easily concentrated-IE not likely to spread out too far. Again hopefully more learned folks will chime in. Lets see what happens.
Not a technically honest presentation. Looks as if they are using the power POLES, but not the lines. 73
Watching their video, it looks like mini cell towers (4G/5G) aka PCS with wireless point-to-point links from power pole to power pole. Their video doesn't even show them connecting to the power lines for power. So basically, they are just using the power lines for the poles (aka masts or towers).
From what I've observed from internal company promotional info, they are relying on skin effect or as stated above, waveguide. My first thought was about the BPL EMI disaster, but they did specifically state mm waves. So... Hopefully this will have no effect on us.
It uses the powerline as a Goubau line to carry the SHF signal to pole mounted transmitters running at I think 1900Mhz for distribution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goubau_line Martin
ARRL just posted an article about this: http://www.arrl.org/news/at-t-s-new-airgig-not-your-father-s-bpl
