Commission promotes broadband via power lines
Europe should take advantage of energy market liberalisation and use electrical power supply lines as a way of offering low-cost, high-speed Internet access, the European Commission has said. In a series of recommendations to Member States issued on 6 April, the Commission proposed boosting competition by opening up the market to new suppliers of high speed broadband connections through electric power cables, and helping to close the digital divide. As the Commission explains, Internet access via power lines has so far taken hold in only a few urban areas, but could soon bring millions of EU homes and businesses a cheap alternative to connections using the telephone network or TV cable. The potential is huge as the EU has 200 million power lines running directly into houses, schools and businesses. 'Affordable high-speed Internet access is vital to sustain EU competitiveness in many businesses, large and small. I want to make sure that suppliers can exploit all technological possibilities, and that we combine forces in Europe to boost broadband deployment,' said Information Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding. The new Member States in Central Europe would particularly benefit from the technology as only 20 per cent or less of Internet users have access to traditional telephone lines in some major areas. According to the Commission, providing cheap broadband access would bring coverage to almost 100 per cent of potential users. 'Market liberalisation across the EU is creating new opportunities for power-utility companies to exploit their existing power supply cables to create an alternative broadband supply route,' states the Commission. 'In many cases, uncertainty about the rules governing this market has been a barrier to entry.' To ensure that the rules are clear, the Commission has therefore issued a set of recommendations for removing any regulatory obstacles. 'Innovative technologies shall be given the opportunity to demonstrate their viability and contribute to growth in Europe,' explained Günter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry. 'The prerequisite is a clear and balanced regulatory environment for attracting new players and new investment to the power line broadband communications market. This Commission recommendation will provide this clarity. Member States and innovative broadband service suppliers now face the challenge of making the most of this opportunity,' he concluded.