Public BPL Database Access Restrictions Removed:

United Telecom Council (UTC) has removed all restrictions on access to the BPL Interference Resolution Web site. In cooperation with the United Power Line Council (UPLC), UTC administers the database, which FCC Part 15 rules mandate be "publicly available." Ever since the database debuted last October, the ARRL has taken strong exception to access constraints UTC had imposed. These included limiting searches solely on the basis of ZIP code and rationing the number of allowable searches. In February, the League filed a formal complaint with the FCC, demanding the Commission order UTC to "cease its arbitrary limits" on access to the database. ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, said the League was happy to hear that UTC now has eliminated search limits and posted all BPL system information.

"We are pleased that UTC finally has seen the merit of our arguments in favor of making the database truly accessible," Sumner commented. "This can't possibly hurt, and can only help everyone focus on the real issue: the avoidance and prompt correction of harmful interference to radiocommunications from BPL."

The UTC BPL database still offers the ability to search by ZIP code. Somewhat less prominent is a link to the entire database in ZIP-code order.

The League also has complained to the FCC that the BPL Interference Resolution Web Site database contains inaccuracies and is incomplete, although UTC has made some improvements since the ARRL raised the issues. That complaint is still pending.

The UTC's decision to modify its BPL database came two days after its representatives and a representative from Duke Power met May 17 with FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) staff to address "changes to the database concerning the search limits." ARRL representatives recently further discussed the League's perspective on the same subject with OET staff.

UTC Director of Regulatory Services/Associate Counsel Brett Kilbourne on May 19 informed Acting OET Chief Julius Knapp that it was revising the BPL database "in the interests of resolving the complaint without further dispute." UTC asked the FCC to dismiss the League's complaint "without further action."

Source:

The ARRL Letter Vol. 25, No. 21 May 26, 2006

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