Google investing in Broadband-over-Power Line technology

Google investing in Broadband-over-Power Line technology

Google along with Goldman Sachs and the Hearst Corporation are investing around USD 100 million in Current Communications Group aiming to spread the broadband Internet connectivity around the United States faster. The company develops technology to spread around broadband connectivity through power lines and expects the investment to result in faster alternative outlet for voice, video, and data services.

William Berkman, chairperson of Current Communications said in a statement regarding this latest announcement: “These investments provide us with both capital and operating assistance as we continue to roll out Broadband-over-Power Line services to provide voice, video and data services.” The technology is a bit complicated considering electric power lines are not shielded to prevent radio interference in the same way as telephone and cable lines are.

This interference result in problems with certain radio frequencies leading to protests from parties involved such as amateur radio operators. However, the Federal Communications Commission has cleared the path for this technology with certain restrictions levied to prevent such interference with licensed radio services.

As per these rules, BPL (Broadband on Power Lines) companies would have to avoid areas near sensitive operations and use different frequencies. With these latest investments from the big giants of their respective industries, the company gets quite many resources to expand the horizon of BPL in the United States.