ISPr Interviews Keith MacLean Over Powerline Broadband

One of the benefits of PLC is that it can be made available at every standard power socket in a building so there is flexibility and no need for additional wiring or ports..

19) If there's a power cut then most technologies (ADSL etc.) can still run provided you have a backup source, would this be the case with Powerline or would you simply loose the connection?

As long as an independent power supply is used for all PLC equipment, the service should continue.

20) What's the theoretical bandwidth delivery (speed) limit per house?

Our current systems are operating at a maximum symmetrical bandwidth of 2Mbps. Newer equipment we are starting to test is already offering up to 20Mbps to 2,000 users in Spain and laboratory units are delivering 100Mbps. IP transit and backhaul costs currently represent the biggest challenge for the higher bandwidths.

21) Have any business services been developed yet and if so, what can we expect from them vs residential offerings?

We already have a number of business users on higher value service – this relates to minimum guaranteed bandwidth, IP settings and ISP services. Some users like ourselves, and others in the public sector are using the system for dedicated links, eg between council offices on the same power network or between primary and secondary schools on the same site. In these cases all the bandwidth goes to one user.

ISP Review would very much like to thank Keith MacLean for the time he has so kindly given to do this interview. We look forward to the day when Powerline services finally become a national reality.

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