FCC rules on broadband via power lines.The Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. (FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. ) issued a ruling Nov. 3 designed to encourage electric power utilities to expand the availability of high-speed Internet See broadband. service over the power grid. Specifically, the FCC ruled that broadband over power line service (BPL See broadband over power lines. ) is an "information service" and not a traditional telecom service. The classification means that BPL providers do not have to comply with costly regulation and oversight. The FCC has previously classified high-speed via cable modern and digital subscriber-line (DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary ) as information services See Information Systems. . The impact of this new BPL ruling on the apartment industry is unclear, but it is potentially positive as a growing number of apartment firms are exploring the use of BPL technologies. One notable example in the apartment industry is the Bozzuto Group, which has been experimenting with BPL technology as a "last mile" option for apartment residents for the past few years. The firm recently announced that it will join forces with equipment provider Telkonet and Earthlink for an expanded pilot program. At a minimum, the FCC ruling will mean added competition for broadband service providers. Unless current service contracts prohibit such competition, access to a building's electrical service network could open up a range of broadband services to residents, making the service accessible to virtually all residents. NAA/NMHC will continue to monitor the impact of this ruling on the apartment industry. Information compiled by NAA/NMHC Joint Legislative Staff: Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Jim Arbury; Vice President of Housing Policy Lisa Blackwell; Vice President of Capital Markets and Technology David Cardwell; Vice President of Properly Management Jeanne McGlynn Delgado; Vice President of Communications Kim Duty; Vice President of Environment Eileen Lee; Tax Advisor Howard Menell; Vice President of Building Codes Ron Nickson; Chief Economist Mark Obrinsky; and Director of Properly Operations Belay be·lay v. be·layed, be·lay·ing, be·lays v.tr. 1. Nautical To secure or make fast (a rope, for example) by winding on a cleat or pin. 2. Feigin Befus. |
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