FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Media Contact

August 3, 2006 Bruce Romano

\(202\) 418-2124

[Bruce.Romano@fcc.gov](mailto:Bruce.romano@fcc.gov)

**FCC ADOPTS MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON BROADBAND OVER POWER LINES
TO PROMOTE BROADBAND SERVICE TO ALL AMERICANS**

Washington, DC - As part of its ongoing efforts to promote access to
broadband services for all Americans and to encourage new
facilities‑based broadband platforms, the Federal Communications
Commission today generally affirmed its rules for Access Broadband over
Power Line (Access BPL) systems while maintaining safeguards against
harmful interference to existing radio services. If harmful interference
does occur, the Commission will take appropriate action to remedy the
situation. Today's decision was adopted in response to a number of
petitions for reconsideration of the BPL rules established in October of
2004.

In the *Memorandum Opinion and Order* (*MO&O*) adopted today, the
Commission again acknowledged the significant benefits of Access BPL,
reaffirmed its commitment to address interference issues, and
reemphasized that the Part 15 rule changes were made to ensure that
Access BPL operations do not become a source of interference to licensed
radio services.

Specifically, the *MO&O* by the Commission:

-   Affirms its rules regarding emission limits for BPL, including its
    determination that the reduction of emissions to 20 dB below the
    normal Part 15 emissions limits will constitute adequate
    interference protection for mobile operations;

-   Denies the request by the amateur radio community to prohibit BPL
    operations pending further study and to exclude BPL from frequencies
    used for amateur radio operations;

-   Denies the request by the television industry to exclude BPL from
    frequencies above 50 MHz;

-   Affirms the July 7, 2006 deadline for requiring certification for
    any equipment manufactured, imported or installed on BPL systems,
    with the proviso that uncertified equipment already in inventory can
    be used for replacing defective units or to supplement equipment on
    existing systems for one year within areas already in operation;

-   Affirms the requirement that information regarding BPL deployment
    must be provided in a public database at least 30 days prior to the
    deployment of that equipment;

-   Adopts changes regarding protection of radio astronomy stations by
    requiring a new exclusion zone and amending consultation
    requirements for these stations; and

-   Adopts changes to provide for continuing protection for aeronautical
    stations that are relocated.

-   Denies the request by the aeronautical industry to exclude BPL
    operating on low-voltage lines from frequencies reserved for certain
    aeronautical operations;

-   Denies the request by the gas and petroleum industry to be
    considered as public safety entities;

Action by the Commission, August 3, 2006, by Memorandum Opinion and
Order (FCC 06-113). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein,
Tate and McDowell. Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin,
Commissioners Copps, Tate, and McDowell.

ET Docket No. 04-37 and 03-104.

Office of Engineering and Technology Contact: Bruce Romano (202)
418-2124; Anh Wride (202) 418-0577.

-FCC-