OECD Digital Economy Papers
The OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) undertakes a wide range of activities to better understand how information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to sustainable economic growth and social well-being. The OECD Digital Economy Papers series covers a broad range of ICT-related issues and makes selected studies available to a wider readership. They include policy reports, which are officially declassified by an OECD Committee, and occasional working papers, which are meant to share early knowledge.
- ISSN: 20716826 (online)
- https://doi.org/10.1787/20716826
Broadband over Power Lines (BPL)
Developments and Policy Issues
The focus of this paper is to provide an overview of developments in broadband power line
technologies and related policy issues. The electric power grid is a hostile environment for high-speed data
transmission, but after years of development, the technology to deliver high-speed data over the existing
electric power delivery network has emerged, somewhat tentatively, in the marketplace. This technology,
referred to as Broadband over Power Lines (BPL), uses medium- and low-voltage power lines to provide
broadband Internet access to residential users and businesses and is considered by some as a third access
technology offering potential competition to xDSL telecommunication lines and cable modems. Recent
trends, however, indicate that the focus of BPL technology is shifting from providing broadband
connectivity to smart meter usage allowing households to reduce energy costs and allow energy companies
to better manage their networks by developing a “smart grid”.
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