Public BPL Database Restrictions Removed
NEWINGTON, CT, May 22, 2006--United Telecom Council (UTC) has removed all restrictions on access to
the BPL Interference Resolution Web site.
In cooperation with the United Power Line Council (UPLC), UTC administers the database, which FCC
Part 15 rules mandate be "publicly available." Ever since the database debuted
last October, the ARRL has taken strong exception to access constraints UTC had
imposed, including limiting searches solely on the basis of US Postal Service
ZIP code and rationing the number of allowable licensee searches. In February,
the League filed a formal complaint
with the FCC, demanding that the Commission order UTC to "cease its arbitrary
limits" on access to the database. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner,
K1ZZ, said the League was happy to hear that UTC now has eliminated search
limits and posted all BPL system information.
"We are pleased that UTC finally has seen the merit of our
arguments in favor of making the database truly accessible," Sumner commented. "This
can't possibly hurt, and can only help everyone focus on the real issue: the
avoidance and prompt correction of harmful interference to radiocommunications
from BPL."
Sumner and ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, were
among several radio amateurs who found themselves locked out of the BPL database
after attempting to conduct multiple searches. In its complaint, the ARRL said UTC's
restricting access to the database was "directly and overtly contrary to the
specific language of both the Report and Order (R&O)
and §15.615 of the Commission's rules."
The UTC BPL database still offers the ability to search by
ZIP code. Somewhat less prominent is a link to the entire database in
ZIP-code order.
The League also has complained
to the FCC that the BPL Interference Resolution Web Site database contains
inaccuracies and is incomplete, although UTC has made some improvements since
the ARRL raised the issues. That complaint is still pending.
The UTC's decision to modify its BPL database came two
days after its representatives and a representative from Duke Power met May 17
with FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) staffers to address "changes
to the database concerning the search limits," as they were described in a
notification of the ex parte contact. ARRL representatives recently further
discussed the League's perspective on the same subject with OET staff members.
UTC Director of Regulatory Services/Associate Counsel
Brett Kilbourne on May 19 informed Acting OET Chief Julius Knapp that it was
revising the BPL database "in the interests of resolving the complaint without
further dispute." UTC said its action "should satisfy any concerns that the
Access BPL database is not publicly accessible, as ARRL claims in its
complaint." In addition, UTC said, the change also addresses "UTC's concerns
about the impact of automated searches of the database."
A advisory on the BPL Interference Resolution Web Site
page had stated: "Access via scripted or automated programs is prohibited. Each
individual is allowed to search a limited number of times. Individuals are
advised not to conduct random searches of the database, or their access to the
database may be further restricted."
The UTC has asked the FCC to dismiss the League's
complaint "without further action."
Page last modified: 03:08 PM, 22 May 2006 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2006, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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