Ham radio soon to be useless because of BPL

hi guys,

imagine interference on your radio coming in at 40db over S9. this may soon be a reality, making ham radio and other radio services useless.

Meralco and PLDT will soon be testing BPL or broadband over power lines. this will definitely cause interference on the amateur bands. http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090630-213203/PLDT-taps-Meralco-for-new-venture

the Meralco franchise is huge. The 9,337 sq. km. franchise area covers 23 cities and 88 municipalities including Metro Manila, the entire provinces of Bulacan, Rizal and Cavite; parts of the provinces of Laguna, Quezon and Batangas; and 17 barangays in Pampanga. Electrification level in the franchise is 97%. http://www.meralco.com.ph/Corporate/services/franchise.htm

imagine an a huge antenna covering 9,337 sq. km. imagine how huge a signal that will be. it will not only cause interference in that are, it can spill over to other areas, especially if the propagation is good.

so, you do not live in a Meralco franchise area? what will stop your power company from venturing into BPL? how sure are you that they will not go into BPL?

we should put a stop to BPL now. i am not against technology. however, there are "cleaner" technologies for the internet transmission like wifi, cable, fiber optic, telephone line, etc....

radio is not only a hobby. it is useful during emergencies and disasters. of course we know that because we are hams. other services like government, the military, commercial enterprises use radio daily and during disasters.

what should we do? well, we can start by writing NTC, PLDT, Meralco and its officers.

for your convenience, i have prepared a draft letter. cut and paste and,fill in your name and contact information and then email or mail to them.

for love of ham radio, very truly yours,

Eddie Valdez DU1EV

Dear Sir or Madam:

I have read that PLDT and Meralco will be testing broadband over power line BPL in the Malabon area starting August 2009.

I strongly oppose the use of power lines for broadband because of the harmful interference it causes on radio frequencies. The interference will wreak havoc on the HF and VHF bands of the radio spectrum and this will affect commercial, government, military and amateur communications.

I am not opposed to technology. Presently, there are other means for transmission of broadband which do not cause interference like telephone lines, cable, wifi, and fiber optic.

Until and unless BPL technology improves and will not cause interference to the radio spectrum, I shall continue to oppose BPL.

I therefore respectfully request that your plan of using power lines for broadband be terminated.

Very truly yours,

YOUR NAME

YOUR CONTACT INFO

SEND TO oh.acct.mgmt@meralco.com.ph

customercare@pldt.com

commissioner@ntc.gov.ph depcom1@ntc.gov.ph

http://www.meralco.com.ph/Corporate/services/franchise.htm

http://www.pldt.com.ph/support/consumers/Pages/CosumerSupportHome.aspx

Eddie Valdez

DU1EV