power tower

According to an article entitled "New outlet for the Internet--Power lines may soon be the next vehicle to deliver high-speed Internet service and phone calls," in the December 19, 2004, Arizona Republic::

"Arizona Public Service Co. is now testing the technology in Cottonwood with partners Mountain Telecommunications Inc. and Electric Broadband LLC. Tentatively, APS would provide the lines, Mountain Telecommunications would sell the service and Electric Broadband would contribute the equipment and operate the system.

"The group is working to solve interference problems that have drawn complaints from the Verde Valley Amateur Radio Association."

According to an article entitled "Powerful Net," in the December 19, 2004,Charlotte Observer, Duke Energy has embarked on a three-phase program to explore broadband over power line. Here's where things stand now:

"The Internet access, Internet phone calls and video conferencing were the benefits that Duke could offer customers, who would provide new revenue to Duke by buying Internet access.

"In Phase 2, with 500 homes in the program, the most common complaints Duke received were about service outages, when participants would find their connections had been dropped.

"Duke is working with its partners, AT&T, EarthLink and LecStar Telecom, to iron out the kinks for phase 3. So far, Duke and those partners, which handle the marketing, have been offering their service for free."