ISPr Interviews Keith MacLean Over Powerline Broadband

Hardware for service provision will be defined for the area and supplied to the customer as part of the package.

13) Being that the technology shifts data down power cables then surely there must be an issue with lighting storms; what kind of surge protection is used? Is this technology safe for the customers PC?

PLC service will be provided along the same cables as used to supply the property and, in most cases, the computer equipment, therefore it does not increase the risk from lightning.

14) Can it be used even if your supply goes through one of the small per-building transformers you get in remote areas?

Technically this is not a hurdle - in the USA many properties are served in this way and new systems are being developed to cover this application. However, the service and backhaul costs still need to be split over a number of users to make it commercially viable.

15) What kind of packages do you intend to offer (services & speeds) and has any final pricing been laid down for them yet?

See No.8

16) Will the service support computers systems other than those based off Microsoft (e.g. Mac OS, Linux etc.)?

The service is fed into the PC along an Ethernet or USB cable and should be system independent - as long as it can cope with IP.

17) Do you plan to tie people into lengthy contracts, or will there be options (monthly, yearly etc.)?

See No.8

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