Fears raised as data is sent via the power grid

Plans to distribute data via power lines are set to fail because ofns. radio interference and possible health and safety issues, as revealed by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) in Network News, 27 May 1998.

The RA has now said it is disappointed with the progress made in addressing the issue by organisations testing the technology. In response to an IEE (Institute of Electronic Engineers) warning, the RA expressed concern that digital power lines (DPLs) cause radio interference.

The RA is currently performing its own tests at trial sites in Guildford and Manchester. Its technology sector's unit manager, Ken Yard, argued: "We would like to see (DPL) succeed but in a year we've not seen any signs of improvement. They might come up with some new ideas but it looks pretty poor."

The RA has received complaints from government agencies including the MoD, the civil aviation authorities, and the emergency services, all concerned that radio leakage from power lines may interfere with their communications and impair their services.

The companies developing DPL include a Nortel and Norweb joint venture called NOR.WEB. In spite of RA concerns a NOR.WEB spokeswoman said: "We're confident we'll be able to go live by the middle of next year."

The RA is also looking into the possibility of XDSL deployments causing radio interference. Yard said: "It's more friendly than the DPLs but we might be talking about a lower data rate so it can comply."

The RA warned it would close down DPL or XDSL projects if interference issues are not resolved by the middle of next year.