[October 14, 2004] FCC Adopts Milestone Decision for Broadband over Powerlines; BPL Will Transform US Electric Grid into Broadband Third Wire, Promote Competition and Enhance Electric Service for Consumers WASHINGTON & GERMANTOWN, Md. --(Business Wire)-- Oct. 14, 2004 -- In a groundbreaking decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today unanimously affirmed the widespread deployment of Broadband over Powerline (BPL) services and technology. BPL will provide consumers nationwide with high-speed Internet access through their existing electrical outlets. BPL also assists utilities with critical intelligence to enhance the security, reliability and efficiency of the U.S. electric power grid. "This is one of the defining moments for the widespread adoption of broadband by Americans, and a great testament to the FCC's leadership and to the cooperation and support of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Today's FCC decision is as significant as the Commission's decision a decade ago to foster competition in the mobile telephone and video programming businesses, through PCS and direct broadcast satellite licensing," said William Berkman, Chairman of CURRENT Communications Group, a BPL service operator in the residential and small business markets. "The fact is that BPL does 'double duty,' enabling two critical infrastructure improvements - it gives our nation a viable new broadband alternative and it enables significant modernization of the nation's electric distribution system." Today's FCC decision confirms the application of existing technical rules to BPL deployments and implements additional rules to facilitate continued BPL roll-outs, marking the conclusion of a nearly two-year rulemaking process. Incorporating these rules, BPL will provide for significantly more efficient and reliable electric distribution networks nationwide in a variety of ways, including: -- Automated outage and restoration detection; -- Automated meter reading; -- Load management through remote monitoring and operation of switches, transformers and other electric utility network equipment; -- Remote capability to connect and disconnect electrical service; -- More efficient demand-side management programs. CURRENT BPL provides homes and small businesses with high-quality broadband and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services through a joint venture in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana with Cinergy Corp. (NYSE: CIN), the utility holding and diversified energy company. The service will pass approximately 50,000 homes by year-end. Through a second joint venture with Cinergy, known as ACcess Broadband, CURRENT will deploy BPL to smaller municipal and cooperatively owned power companies covering 24 million customers across the United States. "We, and Cinergy customers, have been thrilled with the results of our BPL service," said William J. Grealis, Executive Vice President of Cinergy. "The CURRENT Broadband(TM) service bridges the 'last mile' from the electric distribution network into customers' homes without the need to install additional wires and leverages the widely accepted and easy-to-use HomePlug(R) modem standard for in-home networking. It's enabled us to provide customers with affordable, user-friendly Internet service. At the same time, BPL will enable us to improve the performance of our core electric network without significant incremental capital investment." "The future is bright for BPL," said Mr. Berkman of CURRENT. "BPL is a high-quality alternative that transforms every in-home power outlet into a broadband outlet and will help bridge the gap in services to America's underserved communities. Furthermore, it enables electric utilities to enhance their systems' reliability and broaden their service offerings efficiently through a single general communications network built on their existing infrastructure." About CURRENT Communications Group, LLC CURRENT Communications Group, LLC is a privately held company based in Germantown, Maryland. CURRENT is a residential and small business broadband service operator and designs, builds and provides technology and innovative power line equipment and solutions for delivering broadband services domestically and internationally. CURRENT was founded by Liberty Associated Partners, LP, an investment partnership managed by principals with extensive investment and operating experience in telecommunications, media, Internet and related technologies. Through Associated Group, LLC, these principals, along with Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE: L), are the primary investors in Liberty Associated Partners. CURRENT is also backed by EnerTech Capital and Cinergy Corp. (NYSE: CIN). EnerTech Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in software and technologies that service the energy and communications markets. Many of the investors in EnerTech Capital's funds are major U.S. and international utilities. Additional information about CURRENT is available at www.current.net and www.currentgroup.com. About Cinergy Corporation Cinergy Corp. has a balanced, integrated portfolio consisting of two core businesses: regulated operations and commercial businesses. Cinergy's regulated public utilities in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky serve 1.5 million electric customers and about 500,000 gas customers. In addition, its Indiana regulated company owns 7,000 megawatts of generation. Cinergy's competitive commercial businesses have 6,300 megawatts of generating capacity with a profitable balance of stable existing customer portfolios, new customer origination, marketing and trading, and industrial-site cogeneration. Cinergy's integrated businesses make it a Midwest leader in providing both low-cost generation and reliable electric and gas service. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]