This has been in and out of the news for some time...  Media Fusion received
a US patent on a device (process??) that allows the IP data to pass around
transformers in 1999 (http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1004-200-1494768.html) and
was expected to demonstrate a fully functional system, but has yet to do so.
(their http://www.mediafusionllc.com/ site is 'under construction')

AFAIK, nobody has successfully demonstrated high bandwidth IP data over
power circuits without dramatically altering the transformers currently in
place.  This is the real key to this technologies success.  Having to
replace millions of transformers currently on the grid will make this
technology as expensive as Fiber to the Home
(http://www.wbsmith.com/fiber.html) without most of the benefits.

Chris Midkiff

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DCT Jared Smith [mailto:jared@dctkc.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2001 7:26 AM
> To: kclug@kclug.org
> Subject: Powerline 4 Megabit/s
>
>
> http://www.ascom.com/apps/WebObjects/ecore.woa/de/showNode/siteNod
> eID_19589_
> contentID_134952_languageID_1.html
>
> or if e-mail broke this link,
> go to http://www.ascom.com and click on:
>      25/09 Powerline Communications in Switzerland.
>
> This is compelling; I've seen the idea from time to
> time on Slashdot, but no one here in the States seems to
> be taking advantage of it. From what I can tell the electric
> company becomes a broadband provider, and
> though not specific, they say it is conceivable it
> could be less expensive than other forms of
> broadband. At 4.5 Megabits/s, it's worth looking
> in to. Maybe we can convince Ascom to set up the
> first North American installation right here in KC.
>
> I think it would perfectly address what Sunflower
> is looking for... but it might be a ways off yet!
>
> -J
>
>
>
>
>