IBM to manage broadband over power lines at rural coops

Over three years ago, I wrote that broadband-over-power-lines was a "reality." That was somewhat overstated. There have been numerous tests and occassional delivery, but the ubiquitous Internet access promised by the technology doesn't really seem any closer. So the announcement today that IBM has signed a contract with International Broadband Electric Communications Inc. to provide broadband over power lines might be, as the Wall Street Journal says, a "sign that using the electricity grid for communication ... has finally matured." Or it might be yet another news release that reperesents just a nibble at the goal of rural delivery of broadband. The contract is for IBM to manage installation of broadband at 13 utility cooperatives in seven states. IBM anticipates picking up more of this business from the 900-some rural coops around the country. International Broadband has developed technology from couplers and repeaters to maintain signal strength to BPL consumer modems and markets services to cooperatives.

President-elect Obama's campaign platform included a promise to:

ensure that rural Americans have access to a modern communications infrastructure [and to] modernize an FCC program that supports rural phone service so that it promotes affordable broadband coverage across rural America as well.