OPERA promises open powerline spec by the end of 2005

By DE Editors

OPERA(Open PLC European Research Alliance) says it will release aspecification for powerline communications by the end of the year. Thenew specification covers PHY, MAC, and PLC systems, ensuring fullinteroperability for PLC (or BPL) broadband access and in-buildingdistribution systems without recourse to proprietary technologies.Utilities, network operators, system integrators, and service providersare expected to take advantage of this open specification to offerservices to their customers.

A specification working group was created in the 37-member consortium,with members from the main European utilities and the leading membersof the PLC industry. Partners include electric utilities, OEMmanufacturers, technology providers, universities, engineering andconsultancy companies, and telecom operators. OPERA, which isco-financed by the European Union, issued a report outlining the mainaspects of the technology to ETSI, the European standardization body.The position paper is available on the OPERA website at ist-opera.org.

The final document is currently undergoing the late stages ofdevelopment by the OPERA Specification Working Group, which plans on alate-December release date. The consortium's steering and technicalcommittee agreed during its last meeting in September to cooperate withthe Universal Powerline Association to ensure the standard fulfills therequirements of international markets and to promote it worldwide.

"I am very excited at the prospect of the availability of a public,open, specification", said Laurent Feltin, of EDF, the Frenchelectrical utility. "This represents a significant step forward inbroadband access over power lines. Utilities and telcos will be able touse Powerline infrastructure using standard solutions from multiplemanufacturers to extend broadband access to communities who would neverhave had access to such services."
For more information, visit ist-OPERA.org.