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Senate Bill Calls on FCC to Investigate BPL Interference Potential

Sen Mark Pryor of Arkansas filed a bill yesterday in the US Senate calling on the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a study on the interference caused by broadband Internet transmission over power lines, otherwise known as BPL. Sen Pryor is a member of the Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

If passed, Senate Bill 1629 would require the FCC to "conduct and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report on a study of interference potential of systems for the transmission of broadband Internet services over power lines."

The bill states that there are to be four required areas of study.

• "The variation of field strength of BPL service signals with distance from overhead power lines, and a technical justification for the use of any particular distance extrapolation factor.

• "The depth of adaptive, or 'notch,' filtering for attenuating normally permitted BPL service radiated emission levels that would be necessary and sufficient to protect the reliability of mobile radio communications.

• "A technical justification for the permitted, radiated emission levels of BPL signals relative to ambient levels of man-made noise from other sources.

• "Options for new or improved rules related to the transmission of BPL service that, if implemented, may prevent harmful interference to public safety and other radio communication systems."

ARRL president Joel Harrison, W5ZN, said, "The ARRL is grateful for Senator Pryor's support. The radio amateurs of my home state of Arkansas are fortunate to be represented in both the Senate and the House of Representatives by legislators who are sensitive to our needs and concerns. The Senator's recognition of Amateur Radio's role in emergency communications and public safety is greatly appreciated."

This bill calls for the same studies to be performed as House Bill 462, introduced January 12, 2007 by Rep Mike Ross, WD5DVR, of Arkansas.

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