IDACOMM (Boise, Idaho, U.S.) in partnership with Idaho Power Co. is in the final installation stage of a broadband over power line (BPL) technology trial in Boise. There are currently 400 homes passed in two different trial areas with 40 households signed up to receive the service. The system uses the Amperion Connect solution providing wireless access for the final “100 feet” from the padmount transformer to the home.

“This technology has arrived, and it's working better than expected.” said Cameron Christian, vice president of marketing for IDACOMM and a technology trial participant. Christian's home has several Internet devices connected to the BPL network deployed in his Boise neighborhood: a personal computer, a laptop, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone and a Microsoft X-Box video game console. According to Christian, all four connections receive better than 2 MB/sec of Internet access bandwidth.

Additional goals for the trial include measuring network deployment costs, timelines and potential trouble areas before they become obstacles to commercial deployment. Early indications point to a broadband Internet network that can be deployed into residential areas at capital costs competitive to traditional DSL and cable networks. A key benefit of the BPL deployment is an intelligent grid Idaho Power can leverage for future cost saving applications. VoIP and video-streaming technology will be added into the trial later this month.

“We are excited by the potential to deliver a high-performance broadband network capable of delivering both data and local voice service to customers who have been frustrated by the limited availability of DSL or the high cost of cable Internet,” said Chris Britton IDACOMM's president and CEO.
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