How does BPL work? 

The data signals that travel between the computer and outer cyberspace basically hitch a ride across the city's network of power lines.

Make way for the third communications pipe into the home. After years of talk, tests and tentativeness, electric utilities and municipalities are finally beginning to introduce a potentially powerful broadband technology, known as broadband over power line (BPL), to American consumers.

By slightly modifying the current power grids with specialized equipment, the BPL developers could partner with power companies and Internet service providers to bring broadband to everyone with access to electricity.

In a promising sign for BPL, the FCC has proposed new federal rules to ease the technology's deployment over the nation's electric power grid. With FCC Chairman Michael Powell an unabashed cheerleader for the service, the Commission clearly wants to foster greater broadband competition and deployment by turning power lines into the third major pipeline into American homes.

THE BPL SYSTEM IS ACTIVE.  BETA TESTERS NEEDED NOW

DACOR  and  Bowling Green Municipal Utilities have launched a pilot program to test a new technology that allows Wireless Broadband Internet Service transmitted over Bowling Green's power grid.  The test area is from DACOR's offices at 519 W. Wooster, east to North Grove, then north to Evers, and  east to Enterprise.

If you are a DACOR customer living in this area and would like to help us test this exciting new technology please call us at 419.352.3568 or CLICK HERE.  Your computer must be equipped with an 802.11b standard wireless card.  These are available at DACOR, Staples, WalMart and many other locations.

Beta testers feedback form. CLICK HERE