Here's my take on this. BPL is experience the typical product cycle - initial euphoria, overly optimistic projections, eventual reality sets in, lowered expectations as cost and technical challanges are encountered and eventual real product need is found at a lower use rate. Does anyone think the current broadband suppliers are going to just give up and walk away? Not. I still think cable has the best chance at converging all your communications needs - TV, Digital Radio, Voip Phone, Broadband, etc ... The only one missing is cell phone but your still down to just 2 suppliers.
BPL is a potential interference issue but I don't think FCC emission requirements have been relaxed. Utility companies will find that meeting these emission requirements for above ground distribution will be a real challange if not impossible. You can be assured the local HF users will find the offending utility and force them to fix it or shut it down. For new development power is routed underground and can be shielded. Proper filtering can be installed as it exits underground within a building structure. For older/existing neighborhoods, forget it. The cost will be too high. Nothing is free, even public utility provided BPL. There is a whole infrastructure behind those "free" wires.
both tests of BPL were shut down early because of massive interference to amateur radio....
this decision is a big F.U. to shortwave radio listerners, and ham radio operators across the country...
remember, they were the first ones on the air after Hurricane Charley!
Thank you. People just don't realize.