Seminar Report10

Communication

Powerline

1.0.0 Introduction
Connecting to the Internet is a fact of life for business,
government, and most households. The lure of e-commerce, video on
demand, and e-mail has brought 60 million people to the Internet. Once
they get to the Internet, they find out what its really like. That includes
long waits for popular sites, substantial waits for secure sites, and horrible
video quality over the web.
Telephone companies have offered high bandwidth lines for
many years. For the most part, the cost of these lines and the equipment
needed to access them has limited their usefulness to large businesses. The
lone exception has been ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) which
has won over some residential customers. ISDN offers fast Internet access
(128k) at a relatively low cost.
Here the solution is Powerline communications (or PLC).
Powerline communications is a rapidly evolving market that utilizes
electricity power lines for the high-speed transmission of data and voice
services.
None of the available Internet access services offer the right
balance of cost, convenience, and speed. Digital Powerline technology
could change all that. It gives customers high speed Internet access through
electrical networks. Lower costs are achieved because the service is
implemented on standard electrical lines. The service is also convenient

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because its already in your home. Internet access through Digital

Powerline would be at (at least) 1Mbps, 20 times faster than a standard
phone/modem connection.

1.1.0 History
The technology has roots going back to the 1940s.It has been
used by power utilities for simple telemetering and control of electrical
equipment in their networks.
What is new is the integration of activities outside the building
with those inside the building at a much higher bandwidth, 2.5 mbps or
higher.

1.2.0 Overview of Technology

PLC works by transmitting high frequency data signals
through the same power cable network used for carrying electricity power
to household users. Such signal cannot pass through a transformer. This
requires devices that combine the voice and data signals with the lowvoltage supply current in the local transformer stations. The signal makes
its way to neighborhoods and customers who could access either it
wirelessly, through utility poles.
Digital Powerline use a network, known as a High Frequency
Conditioned Power Network (HFCPN), to transmit data and electrical
signals. A HFCPN uses a series of Conditioning Units (CU) to filter those

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separate signals. The CU sends electricity to the outlets in the home and
data signals to a communication module or "service unit". The service unit
provides multiple channels for data, voice, etc. Base station servers at local
electricity substations connect to the Internet via fiber or broadband coaxial
cable. The end result is similar to a neighborhood local area network.
1.2.1 The Server
The Digital Powerline base station is a standard rack
mountable system designed specifically for current street electricity
cabinets. Typically, one street cabinet contains twelve base station units,
each capable of communicating over 1 of 40 possible radio channels. These
units connect to the public telecommunications network at E1 or T1 (*see
appendix D) speeds over some broadband service.
Several options, with different costs, can provide broadband
Internet service to each base station. The simplest solution is connecting
leased lines to each substation. This solution is potentially quite costly
because of the number of lines involved. A wireless system has also been
suggested to connect base stations to the Internet. This option reduces local
loop fees, but increases hardware costs. Another alternative involves
running high bandwidth lines, along side electric lines, to substations.
These lines could be fiber (*See appendix C), ATM, or broadband coaxial
cable. This option avoids local loop fees, but is beset by equipment fees.
The actual deployment of Digital Powerline will probably involve a mix of
these alternatives, optimized for cost efficiency in different areas and with
different service providers.

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These base stations typically serve approximately 50

customers, providing over 20 MHz of usable spectrum to near end
customers and between 6 and 10 MHz of useable spectrum to far end
customers. The server operates via IP to create a LAN type environment for
each local service area.
1.2.2 The HFCPN Conditioning Unit
The conditioning Unit (CU) for the Digital Powerline Network
is placed near the electric meter at each customers home. The CU uses
band pass filters to segregate the electricity and data signals, which
facilitate the link between a customers premise and an electricity
substation.
The CU contains three coupling ports. The device receives
aggregate input from its Network Port (NP). This aggregate input passes
through a high pass filter. Filtering allows data signals to pass to a
Communications Distribution Port (CDP) and a low pass filter sends
electric signals to the Electricity Distribution Port (EDP).
The 50 Hz signal flows from the low pass filter, out of the
EDP and to the electricity meter. The low pass filter also serves to attenuate
extraneous noise generated by electrical appliances at the customer
premises. Left unconditioned, the aggregation of this extraneous noise from
multiple homes would cause significant distortion in the network.

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The high pass filter facilitates two way data traffic to and from
the customer premise. Data signals flow through the CDP to the customers
service unit via standard coaxial cable.
1.2.3 Service Unit
The service unit is a wall or table mountable multi-purpose
data communications box. The unit facilitates data connections via BNC
connectors to cable modems and telephone connections via standard line
termination jacks. The service unit provides its own line power for ringing
and contains a battery backup in case of power outage. Alternative
Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) is used for speech
sampling. Because Digital Powerline allows for
the termination of multiple radio signals at the
customer

premises,

the service unit can

facilitate various Customer Premises Equipment

(CPE) simultaneously. In a manner similar to
ISDN, data (computers) and voice (telephones)
devices can coexist without interfering with
each other.

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1.3.0 CASE STUDY

1.3.1 Powerline Trials: Seymour Park Primary School
Digital Powerline
technology

was

first tested in a
public setting at
the Seymour Park
Primary School in
Manchester, UK.
Twelve PCs were
connected

to

single Digital Powerline outlet. Dedicated high-speed access to the Internet

turned out to be a great success in the eyes of students and teachers.Nortels
Digital Powerline web site quotes Seymour Head teacher, Jenny Dunn;
"The high speed connection really lets us take advantage of the educational
potential of the Internet. With a normal connection the children could lose
interest waiting for pages to download. The new system means information
arrives virtually instantaneously, thereby maximizing teaching time and
keeping children on task. This set is amazingly flexible in educational
terms, and not only gives us the additional medium with which to improve
standards, but prepares us for the National Grid for Learning."

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1.3.2 Powerline Trials: Stanley Road

Following

the

success

at

Seymour

Park,

more

comprehensive trial was initiated at the Stanley Road electricity substation,

also

located

in

Manchester. The crux

of this trial was to test
the

limits

of

Powerline technology
and make sure that it
could meet industry
standards even in worst case scenarios.
The Stanley Road substation was set up to use two distributors
to serve two distinct neighborhoods. Northumberland Close is located 350
meters from the substation and Seymour Close is located 600 meters from
the substation. Fifteen users were chosen between the two neighborhoods
to participate in the pilot program. They received various data and
telephone services as well as remote metering/information services.
Unfortunately, the results of the trial are unobtainable. Nortel
and Nor.Web claim that the results of this trial and similar trials in the
United States are being protected for competitive reasons. The only
indication of the trials success is a subjective quote from Nor.Web. The
quote states that "results produced over this period have now proved
conclusively that Nor.Webs technology provides a commercially viable
alternative to established means of telecommunications delivery to
customer premises."
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1.4.0 Application areas offered by Powerline communications

PLC offers end-users a broad spectrum of applications and
services including broadband Internet access, voice over IP, multimedia
services,

telecommunication,

home

automation

and

energy

managemen(near energy services). Powerline offers the opportunity for

the PC to be integrated into the household as never before. As part of the
household power grid, PCs could easily be programmed to turn off lights
and control security devices.
1.4.1 Powerline telecommunication
Powerline telecommunications is a rapidly evolving market
that utilises electricity power lines for the high speed transmission of data
and voice services. The especially exciting thing about the potential for
PLT is that it holds the promise of solving the underlying structural
problem confronting the local access market today. PLT can provide the
holy-grail of a much needed, highly elusive, alternative source of
ubiquitous local loops other than the incumbent telco operator, something
we sadly have yet to see happen on a sufficient scale and scope. Indeed,
what make PLT so attractive from a public policy point of view are the
facts that:
The power grid is ubiquitous; it constitutes an existing network
infrastructure to billions of private consumers and businesses
The power grid offers last-mile conductivity
The power grid supports information based services with strong
growth potential.

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1.4.2 Home Automation

The Home Plug Powerline Alliance (HPA), a U.S. consortium
of 90 members, including such high-tech giants as Cisco, Intel, Motorola,
and Hewlett-Packard is working on technology to link appliances such as
TVs, computers and cookers via the home electrical system.
Appliance makers like Samsung Electronics Co. have been
solidifying cooperation with their technology partners to enable them to
market Internet-controllable home appliances this year. Samsung plans to
set up a Dream LG site on its homepage to advertise its Internet-enabled
products to potential customers.
1.4.3 Internet access
Last December Intellon announced its PowerPacketTM
Powerline networking chipset, the first product certified as compliant with
the HPAs 1.0 Specification introduced earlier that year. The chipset allows
users to access the Internet and connect computers and other devices at
speeds up to 14 mbps by simply plugging into power outlets throughout a
home or small office.
1.4.4 Power management (near energy services)
Near energy services are defined as energy services with in the
confines of current business which ads new forms, features and scales.
Examples are remote billing, remote metering, demand side e management
distribution automation and remote control of supply. Advantages of such
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system for utilities lie in their potential for cost cutting and improving
customer loyalty

1.5.0 Potential Advantages of Digital Powerline Technology

This telecommunications model has multiple advantages over
others including speed, an established local loop, and dedicated
connections. These advantages make Digital Powerline technology an
attractive alternative for telecommunications systems.
In the Digital Powerline model, small LANs are created; they
terminate at each local electricity substation. These LANs will share a
T1/E1 connection to the Internet, similar to a corporation leasing a T1 line.
Individual users should experience tremendous speed increases over
conventional 28.8kbs or 56kps dialup connections, even at peak usage.
Another inherent advantage to the Digital Powerline model is
the fact that it works well over the existing electric power infrastructure (at
least in the UK, see the Limitations section below). Only the substation
server equipment and customer conditioning/service units need to be
installed in order to establish a Digital Powerline network.
Dedicated, multipurpose communication lines make the
Digital Powerline model an attractive option for the information age. Wide
bandwidth and frequency division multiplexing allow for multiple lines to a
single household. Ideally, an entire family could utilize their own
communication devices simultaneously, whether telephone or PC, without
interrupting one another.

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Powerline carry signals for long distances without requiring

regeneration. Their near light speed propagation makes them very powerful
for fast delivery of video and audio data. There is no topology limitation
for power lines.
High transmission rate, right now 3 mbps in uploading and
downloading. The data transmission rate is expected up to 200 mbps in the
future by improving the PLC chip.
Permanent on-line connection with the potential for lower
charges. No need for complicated wiring and additional installations. Move
your computers and appliances where you want. Secure data-encryption.
Lower investment costs compared to those envisaged for other broadband
data access systems.

1.6.0 Potential Extensions to Digital Powerline Technology

There are many possible extensions to the Digital Powerline
model. Those mentioned in reviews and technical journals include "the
wired home" and remote customer information services. Since Digital
Powerline creates a LAN type environment by running IP, people could
theoretically control all of the appliances in their home from their PC or a
remote device. Each home on the neighborhood LAN would operate as a
sub-network of the LAN and each electrical outlet could be treated as a
node on that sub-network.
The Nortel web site predicts, "It could also be feasible to have
an Internet address for every plug in the house, through which you could e-

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mail, for example: fridge@home and study the picture relayed by the
video camera to see what shopping you require; or you could remotely turn
the lights off and the burglar alarm on using your own password."
Remote services such as remote metering have already been
tested under this model and many more services are possible. Because the
service provider can keep track of electricity and bandwidth usage via the
network, customers will also be able to monitor their usage, reliably predict
billing and keep an eye on household usage (i.e. the teenagers phone
usage).

1.7.0 Current Limitations of Digital Powerline Technology

1.7.1 Electro-Magnetic Radiation Issues
Powerline

solutions,

like

phone

line

solutions,

are

unintentional radiators. Emissions can potentially cause interference with

radio, television, community antenna television, telephone and DSL
services.
Second generation PLC technologies are using techniques like
OFDM, which substantially reduce the potential of interference to radio
users, thanks to a decrease in transmitted power spectral density. The
OFDM modulation spreads the signal over a very wide bandwidth, thus
reducing the amount on power injected at a single frequency. Field trials of
PLC technologies carried out during the last 2 years in Europe (Spain, Italy,
Germany), North America, South America (Chile, Brazil) and Asia
(Singapore) have shown that interference with radio users is no longer a

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problem for PLC. The same technique explains why current PLC
technology does not affect other appliances in the home.
1.7.2 Addressing issue
As the number of users and devices connected to Power Lines
increases by orders of magnitude, it becomes clear that we cannot satisfy
the demand using IPv4/NAT, at least not without enormous administrative
complexity. A much larger address space is needed to provide end-to-end
connectivity in a simple manner and to allow new applications and services
to work in a transparent manner.
Clearly, the solution of problem is with IPv6, or Next
Generation Internet Addresses (IPNG) unlimited address space of IPv6 is
needed to provide end-to-end connectivity and allow new applications and
services to work in a transparent manner across PLC networks at massive
scale (imagine every power socket in Beijing or Mumbai becoming an
Internet access point!).
1.7.3 Security
The transmission of data over a network that anybody has
access to could also pose a data security problem, however. Tapping the
signal could allow somebody to eavesdrop on communications. Only data
encryption eliminates that problem.
1.7.4 Noise interference

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Power line networking is also vulnerable to interference from

devices connected to the power infrastructure, such as microwaves and
computers.
This can be solved by either using repeaters or dynamic chang
of frequencies.
1.7.5 Regulatory and standardization issues
Powerline's maximum access speed is shared with all users
connected to the same local network station. The more people that are
simultaneously on the Internet, the lower the speed obtained.
Several implementation issues have held back Digital
Powerline in North America and the UK. Respectively, the problems are
the numbers of users per transformer and the size and shape of light poles.
In North America, a transformer serves from 5 to 10
households while in Europe a transformer serves 150 households. Digital
Powerline signals cannot pass through a transformer. Therefore, all
electrical substation equipment needed for Digital Powerline has to be
located after the transformer. Since there are fewer households per
transformer in North America, predicted equipment costs are prohibitive.
However, this conclusion has been debated. Analysts suggest that 100%
subscription rates are possible in the US, and that at such rates Digital
Powerline is profitable. Conventional wisdom suggests that there is a way
to make Digital Powerline profitable in North America, whether it is
through bundling a variety of services or higher fees.

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Soon after the first trials of Digital Powerline in the UK, some
unanticipated problems arose. Certain radio frequencies were suddenly
deluged with traffic, making it impossible to transmit on those frequencies.
BBC, amateur radio, and the UKs emergency broadcasting service were
affected. The apparent culprits were standard light poles. Then it became
clear that by pure chance British light poles were the perfect size and shape
to broadcast Digital Powerline signals. This situation posed problems not
just because of the frequencies involved but also because anyone could
listen in on the traffic. Nor.Web is addressing the problem by proposing to
lease the frequencies involved from their owners and offering amateur
radio operators a new frequency. Negotiations on this topic are currently
taking place in London. The privacy issue has not been fully addressed at
this point, besides suggestions that all sensitive information should be
encrypted.
While the promise of Powerline Telecommunications is great,
it is important for everyone to understand that this technology is in its
infancy and there are several hurdles the Powerline industry is working
hard to overcome to make PLT a true close substitute to the existing
incumbent public switched telephone network (PSTN) in the United States.
Specifically, the main weaknesses of PLT products and services are that:
(a) They are still at the developmental stage;
(b) There is no significant installed customer base to date;
(c) And the distances that Powerline technology can cover are limited.
Moreover, the industry is working hard to resolve the complex
issues of standardization and interoperability.
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1.8.0 The Market for Digital Powerline

Trends in both the electric and telecommunications industry
have lead to a climate where Digital Powerline should be a big player.
These trends include customer demand for affordable and high speed
Internet access, deregulation of electrical utilities, and the repercussions of
a variety of telecommunications legislation.
Customers want cheaper, faster, and more reliable access to
the Internet right now. Not only can Digital Powerline provide that type of
service, but it will be available before other broadband access technologies.
Therefore Digital Powerline has both a time to market and cost advantage.
The utility industry is facing deregulation in North America,
Europe, and some parts of Asia. Deregulation means increased competition
in the slow growing electricity market with little protection for utilities. An
unenviable position indeed. Consequently, many utilities are actively
seeking to diversify into other, more profitable, industries.For many
utilities telecommunications and Internet services have been a sensible
choice. That option can only become more popular as Digital Powerline
matures.
Digital Powerline offers a deregulated utility several options
and advantages. The utility can either lease the rights to implement Digital
Powerline on its electrical grid or develop the technology itself. The

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advantages include the low cost of the local loop, differentiating the utility
from other utilities, and bundling a variety of services.
The most recent telecommunications act has tried to make it
easier for all types of telecommunications firms to sell local services and
long distance services. However, Regional Bells actually have control over
local lines and charge other companies who place calls on their lines. Many
of the larger phone companies have sought to get around these charges by
building or leasing their own networks to connect to local points. Digital
Powerline is an existing network that fits those needs. Expect to see smaller
telecommunications companies partnering with electrical utilities to
provide alternative local phone service.
1.8.1 Who is testing or has tested the technology?
PLC abroad
Proof that the PLC concept works in practice was furnished by
a series of field trials by Main.net of Israel, Ascom of Switzerland and
some other companies in 16 European countries from Portugal to
Scandinavia, as well as in Hong Kong, Korea, India, Singapore and the
Americas. These trials fulfilled all expectations of reliability, functionality
and the practical applications of Powerline communications. The first
installations are now already up and running or about to go live.
Users in Germany include the electricity companies RWE
Energie Essen and EnBW Energie Baden-Wrttemberg, while in Spain the
energy and telecoms group Endesa uses PLC technology. Lina.Net of
Iceland, a subsidiary of Reykjavik Energy, has recently begun introducing
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PLC technology with the declared objective of providing private

households with fast Internet access over the power grid rather than the
telephone network. In Sweden Sydkraft, one of the leading energy
providers in Scandinavia uses PLC for bridging the last mile as well as for
networking inside buildings.

PLC in USA
New York-based Ambient - which will partner with Cisco,
perhaps the technology's largest supporter, and Bechtel on future projects is working with the utility Consolidated Edison of New York and Southern
Telecom of Atlanta, a subsidiary of Southern Co., a leading energy
company to expand its testing to several hundred homes. Results indicated
that high frequency data transmissions could be transmitted and received
over distances of more than half a mile, with minimal signal loss. In recent
months, Ambient has achieved throughput speeds in excess of 20 mbps,
and connectivity over distances of 1.5 miles. Up to 200 users can be
supported on a single distribution circuit. Pricing for the systems is not yet
available. Ambient expects to go fully commercial with its systems by first
quarter 2003.
Powerline Technologies in Reston, Virginia, is trying out its
system with two utilities in the East and one in the Midwest. Earlier last
year, the company finished initial PLT tests in suburban Atlanta, where a
handful of households accessed the Net through a specially designed
modem that can hit speeds greater than 1.5 mbps.

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Owing to recent advances for PLC in Europe, and the efforts

of a handful of U.S. PLC vendors including one backed by American
Electric Power (AEP), PLC is closer to being a commercial reality in the
U.S. than ever before. Beta tests scheduled by each of these firms over the
next 12 months will be crucial to resolving outstanding technical hurdles,
standardizing equipment and deployment techniques, and building interest
and partnerships with utilities.

1.9.0 2003 Update on the Power Industry

Efficient Networks Introduces Gateways Combining DSL
Access with 802.11g Wireless and Powerline Networking.
Gateways Include New ControlNet Embedded Software
Enabling Carriers To Differentiate Services And Extend Their Brand At
The Customer Premises Level.
DALLAS July 7, 2003 Efficient Networks, Inc., a
subsidiary of Siemens AG, today announced the availability of the
SpeedStream DSL Gateway Family. The family includes a gateway
combining a DSL modem with 802.11g wireless networking technology in
a single box and a gateway combining DSL access with 802.11g wireless
and powerline networking technologies. All of the gateways in the family
ship with Efficient Networks new ControlNetTM embedded software,
giving service providers a platform at the customer premises for offering
advanced services, extending their brands and differentiating their service
offerings in ways previously not available.
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1.10.0 Conclusion
Digital Powerline technology is an exciting alternative to
connecting to the Internet via phone and modem. Though this technology is
not commercially available yet, it should be available before other
broadband technologies due to the relatively low cost of its local loop.
Moreover, its high speeds will provide Internet access, video on demand,
local phone, and long distance phone services to customers.

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1.11.0 Reference
http://www.powerlineworld.com/powerlineintro.html
http://www.powerlinecommunications.net/
www.powerline-plc.com
www.powerline.com

O'Neal Jr., J.B. (1986)

"The residential power circuit as a

communication medium," IEEE
Trans. on Consumer Electronics, vol.
CE-32, No. 3, pp. 567-577.

Malek, J.A. & Engstorm, J.R. (1976)

"R.F. impedance of United States
and European power lines," IEEE
Trans. on Elec. Comp., vol. EMC18, pp. 36-38.

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CONTENTS
1.0.0 Introduction
1.1.0 History
1.2.0 Overview of Technology
1.2.1 The Server
1.2.2 The HFCPN Conditioning Unit
1.2.3 Service Unit
1.3.0 CASE STUDY
1.3.1 Powerline Trials: Seymour Park Primary School
1.3.2 Powerline Trials: Stanley Road
1.4.0 Application areas offered by Powerline communications
1.4.1 Powerline telecommunication
1.4.2 Home Automation
1.4.3 Internet access
1.4.4 Power management (Near energy services)
1.5.0 Potential Advantages of Digital Powerline Technology
1.6.0 Potential Extensions to Digital Powerline Technology
1.7.0 Current Limitations of Digital Powerline Technology
1.7.1Electro-Magnetic Radiation Issues
1.7.2 Addressing issue
1.7.3 Security
1.7.4 Noise interference
1.7.5 Regulatory and standardization issues
1.8.0 The Market for Digital Powerline
1.8.1 Who is testing or has tested the technology?
PLC abroad
PLC in USA
1.9.0 2003 Update on the Power Industry
1.10.0 Conclusion
1.11.0 Reference

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ABSTRACT
Power Line Communications (PLC) allows transmission of
data over power lines. PLC is potentially the network with the deepest
capillarity in the world, since power lines are almost ubiquitous. Powerine
communications is a rapidly evolving market that utilizes electricity power
lines for the high-speed transmission of data and voice services.
PLC works by transmitting high frequency data signals
through the same power cable network used for carrying electricity power
to household users. Such signal cannot pass through a transformer. This
requires devices ("outdoor devices") that combine the voice and data
signals with the low-voltage supply current in the local transformer stations
to bridge the last mile. In the house, "indoor devices" (adapters) are used in
order to filter out the voice and data signals and to feed them to the various
applications (e.g. PC/Internet, telephone, etc.).
The technology has roots going back to the 1940s. It has been
used by power utilities for simple telemetering and control of electrical
equipment in their networks. What is new is the integration of activities
outside the building with those inside the building at a much higher
bandwidth, 2.5 mbps or higher this means voice and data transmission via
the mains supply voltage network right through to every power socket in
the building, as well as in the reverse direction at high speed.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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