Plcforum summit declares that Power Line Communication (PLC) is a competitive broadband access and in-home LAN technology

Leading power utilities in Europe and in particular in Germany are successfully operating and expanding their commercial activities by providing PLC services. Currently, there are more than 60 PLC sites in the world with thousands of paying customers connected, without disturbing security services or any other broadcasting services.

London, 19 September

Edinburgh, Scotland - The 11th plcforum General Assembly took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, on September 12th and 13th 2002, addressing the latest advances in Power Line Communications (PLC) technology and the existing commercial deployments.
Power Line Communications allows the transmission of data and voice over the electrical cables and enables to provide broadband services using existing infrastructure.
The plcforum is composed of 54 members from 17 countries, including major power utilities (such as EDF, EnBW, Endesa, ENEL and Iberdrola) and the main PLC technology manufacturers and stakeholders.
The plcforum General Assembly was hosted by Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE), which is currently implementing commercial PLC systems in Scotland supported by funding from DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and the Scottish Executive.
This is an important opportunity in the UK for bridging the Digital Divide and for deploying broadband services in rural towns and villages.
At the end of the meeting days, the General Assembly of the plcforum made the following official announcements.
During the last years, PLC technology has improved, and has reached the industrial maturity required to become one of the few commonly available alternative broadband access and in-home LAN technologies.
The current PLC frequency usage (1-30 MHz) allows the provision of high quality broadband services.
Leading power utilities in Europe and in particular in Germany are successfully operating and expanding their commercial activities by providing PLC services. Currently, there are more than 60 PLC sites in the world with thousands of paying customers connected, without disturbing security services or any other broadcasting services.
The plcforum is actively working at further development of PLC systems and standards to address the PLC market demands.
On a special note, the plcforum expressed its sentiments of both surprise and regret about RWE exiting the PLC market. According to the general consensus, the reason can be found in a combination of the company's specific market conditions and business model as well as its strategic choices.
During the closing statement, Mr. Sergio Rogai, Chairman of the plcforum, ended by saying: "The substantial rise in membership participation and the maturing PLC technology, are clear signs of the steadily increasing interest in PLC technology and its commercial opportunity worldwide".
About the plcforum:
The plcforum, established in March 2000 by fifty-four founding members from seventeen countries in three continents, is uniting and representing the interests of players engaged in Power Line Communications (PLC) from all over the world.
The plcforum currently exist of: ABB New Ventures; Alcatel; Actima; Ambient; Amperion; Ascom Power Line Communications; Atanvo; Cetecom ICT Services; d-Holding; Datasoft ISDN Systems; Dimat; DS2; EasyPlug; EDF; Eichhoff; ELCON; EnBW; Endesa; Enditel; ENEL; Enikia; EPRI; EVN; EWE TEL; Iberdrola; Ilevo; Inova Tech; Intellon; International Turnkey Systems; Itran; LANenergy Limited; Main.net Communications; Mitsubishi; Mosenergo; NAMS; NEC; Nuon; ONITelecom; Phonex; Polytrax; PPC; Promax Electronica; Philips; Sainco; Schaffner EMV; Sener; SP Telecommunications; SSE Telecom; Sydkraft Bredband; TIWAG; TEPKO and Union Fenosa.

Plcforum Contact: Sigma Consultants, Roger Torrenti, +33-493 958 530, roger.torrenti@sigma-consultants.fr.
For more information, visit the website http://www.plcforum.org