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FCC RIN: 3060-AI24 Publication ID: Spring 2011 
Title: Broadband Over Power Line Systems  
Abstract: The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes to amend part 15 of the Commission's rules to adopt new requirements and measurement guidelines for a new type of carrier current system that provides access to broadband services using electric utility company power lines. The Report and Order adopted new requirements and measurement guidelines for a new type of carrier current system that provides access to broadband services using electric utility companies' power lines. This new technology offers the potential for the establishment of a significant new medium for extending broadband access to American homes and businesses. Given that power lines reach virtually every residence and business in every community and geographic area in this country, Access BPL service could be made available nearly everywhere. This new broadband delivery medium could also serve to introduce additional competition to existing cable, DSL, and other broadband services. We believe these actions will promote the development of BPL systems by removing regulatory uncertainties for BPL operators and equipment manufacturers while ensuring that licensed radio services are protected from harmful interference. The Office of Engineering and Technology announced that the United Telecom Council (UTC) will serve as the Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL) database manager. The Memorandum Opinion and Order, amended part 15 of the Commission's rules regarding the unlicensed operation of Access broadband over power line (BPL) systems. Specifically, the rules were amended to change the exclusion zone requirement for the ten listed radio astronomy facilities to a consultation requirement, and to add a new exclusion zone for one Very Large Array (VLA) radio astronomy observatory site at 73.0-74.6 MHz. The Commission also amended the rules to add prospective protection for relocated aeronautical facilities and to correct the coordinates and email contact for the aeronautical facilities subject to BPL consultation. The Commission affirmed the July 7, 2006, deadline for requiring certification for any equipment manufactured, imported, or installed on BPL systems, with the proviso that uncertified equipment already in inventory can be used for replacing defective units or to supplement equipment on existing systems for one year within areas already in operation. The Commission believes these changes furthers the development and growth of BPL devices. The Commission denied the petitions for reconsideration in all other respects. The Further Request for Comment and FNPRM addresses certain issues from the Commission's Report and Order on rules for broadband over power line systems and devices (BPL Order) that was remanded by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. In the BPL Order, the Commission established technical standards, operating restrictions, and measurement guidelines for Access Broadband over Power Line (Access BPL) systems to promote the development of such systems while ensuring that licensed radio services are protected from harmful interference. In ARRL v FCC, the court remanded the BPL Order to the Commission for further consideration and explanation of certain aspects of its decision. Specifically the court directed the Commission to provide a reasonable opportunity for public comment on unredacted staff technical studies on which it relied to promulgate the rules, to make the studies part of the rulemaking record, and to provide a reasonable explanation of the choice of an extrapolation factor for use in measurement of emmissions from Access BPL systems. 
Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC)  Priority: Economically Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions 
Major: Undetermined  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 15   
Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/17/2004  69 FR 12612   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/03/2004    
R&O  01/07/2005  70 FR 1360   
Petition for Recon  03/08/2005  70 FR 11244   
Public Notice  11/19/2005  70 FR 60840   
MO&O  08/23/2006  71 FR 49376   
Further Request for Comment and FNPRM  08/24/2009  74 FR 42632   
Next Action Undetermined  To Be Determined    
Additional Information: ET Docket No. 04-37
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, State 
Small Entities Affected: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Anh Wride
Electronics Engineer
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20554
Phone:202 418-0577
Fax:202 418-1944
Email: anh.wride@fcc.gov