Update on power line telecommunication (PLT) activities in Europe

Due to recent deregulations in the EU utility market, it is tempting to compete with classical telecom providers now over power lines, e.g. for broadband internet access in mostly residential areas. PLC (power line communications, sometimes called PL-T standing for telecommunications) uses unshielded, 230 V/50 Hz low voltage distribution cables inside and outside of buildings as transmission medium for Mbit/s data rates. This requires mains injected radio frequency levels (mW, 1-30 MHz) that are EMC critical. Aside from the international standards making process, there are new German regulations in place (RegTP, NB 30-07/01) presently controlling radiated emissions below 30 MHz, in the short wave user spectrum. This protects sensitive monitoring/communication services in both military and government. The latest developments with pro and cons are analyzed, simulations discussed and compared to first, EMC critical measurement results from available real wide-spread PLC systems.