WORLDWIDE MARKET RESEARCH REPORT - CISE

EC/IST FP6 Project No 026920
Work Package: 6
Type of document: Report
Date: 20.12.2007
File name: OP_WP6_D37_V1.0.doc Version: 1.0
Title: Worldwide Market Research Report 50 / 356
Wi Fi cheap free
WIMAX
TBD (expected
200 when
introduced)
TBD (expected
higher than
cable and DSL)
Depends what is
underneath WiFi
5-70
Table 4-5 Costs options for Internet access
4.5.5 PLC versus wired / wireless technologies
medium
nowhere (at the
moment)
PLC In-home networks, using internal house wiring to provide communications between
outlets, can service local area networks as an alternative to conventional wiring or WiFi
wireless interconnections (IEEE 802.11a/b/g). In fact In-home PLC networking is a well
established technology with devices commercially available from a number of
manufacturers.
As far as the cabled lines, the PLC technology is used to bridge the “last mile” between the
broadband core (fiber optic) network and the home or office and also within the home
(similar to the function of a local area network). In addition PLC is a direct competitor to DSL
technology and uses similar modulation techniques. Both technologies exploit existing
copper wire networks. The use of existing cabling greatly reduces installation costs as it
avoids the need for putting in extra cabling. The commercial PLC offerings are competitive
and cheaper than DSL and can extend broadband reach to areas where DSL and cable are
not available. To enhance the fixed network by building new local loop infrastructures
requires substantial investment. As a result, the barriers to broadband deployment using
DSL technology may be high.
With PLC technology the user employs home networking devices such as Ethernet-to-PLC
or USB-to-PLC USB (universal serial bus) for interconnecting several computers, sharing
printers, or DSL or cable modem connections.
Low voltage PLC networks can provide access to open networks such as the Internet.
With this approach, users gain access through a head-end modem installed in an MV-to-LV
transformer providing connections to all subscribers in a neighborhood. The high end
modem has a medium voltage link to a high speed core network. Cost reduction is achieved