Ah, yes, Media Fusion ... Take a look, below, at a summary of their comments to the FCC on the NOI for Advanced Telecom Services (sorry, I only have the summary machine-readable, the full comments came to me by fax. I would say this summary is pretty good.) Many on the thread can decide for themselves if these guys know what they are talking about. I prefer to reserve comment.
MEDIA FUSION
· Expects its technology can be deployed efficiently and economically world-wide, ensuring that it will be affordable to all (every home or office that has an electrical outlet), including schools, libraries, health care institutions, low income consumers and developing countries. (p.2)
· Has completed the design and laboratory testing stages of its proprietary network system and is well positioned to finalize the construction, installation, and testing of its first system by the end of 1999. (p.3)
· FCC should find that this technological development affirmatively services the public interest, consistent with Sec. 706 and Section 7 of the Comm. Act. The FCC should ensure that services using this new technology are not subject to unnecessary regulation, as an over-regulatory approach could stifle their successful deployment to the mass market. (p.3) Regulators must be careful not to saddle new technologies with regulatory baggage of past regimes. (p.8)
· Electrical network, with its high transmission power lines, offers several key advantages over other wired transmission media with respect to provision of high-speed advanced services: 1) long distance signal carriage, carrying signals up to 2000 mils with no signal regeneration required; 2) fueled by magnetic fields created by alternating current, signals are pulled across wires on the electric grid at near light speed, with any input on the grid instantly known, and every part of the electric grid (including every plug and outlet) “hot” with respect to every other; 3) electric infrastructure, with its analog electric waves, possess enormous potential information carrying capacity, with high resolution and efficiency, in contrast to ATM and other digital, packet-based technologies which naturally result in efficiency losses; 4) electrical grid has no topology limitations, avoiding the burdens of conventional telephone technology, including routers, bridges, gateways, and outdated central office software and switches. (pp.4-5)
· Media Fusion's Advanced Sub-Carrier Modulation (ASCM) technology overcomes current obstacles preventing use of powerlines for communications (e.g., line noise, electrical load imbalances, and the existence of transformers that disintegrate communications signals). The technology inscribes data within the natural low frequency bandwidth of the electric wave to transmit information and uses signal processing equipment that identifies all data and frequencies riding within the wave and converting them into understandable form in real time to receive info. (p.5)
· In contrast to other infrastructures, powerline communications will be compatible worldwide, as magnetic fields, exist regardless of whether the system is 60 Hz (US) or 50 Hz (Russia).
· Expects its technology will be economical with average hardware cost per consumer in the range of $55 per-house with no installation costs (compared with average per-modem cost of up to $300 for DSL and cable modem-based systems, both of which require professional installation). (pp.6-7)
· Widespread availability of powerline communications holds promise as an economic means to serve the nation's elementary and secondary schools and classrooms, as required in Sec. 706, by reducing transmission and other costs (e.g., wiring and equipment costs). (p.7)
· As new technologies emerge, it is essential that the FCC refrain from requiring a particular regulatory classification so that technology and economics, rather than regulation can guide the deployment of advanced services. (p.8)
· The FCC and the states must be mindful of the incentives of incumbent providers and be prepared to act in the event they impede the competitive provision of advanced services. (p.8)
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Pages 4-5 present apparently simple electromagnetic fields and access management concepts that are, unfortunately, beyond my grasp. |
