Report sees rise in residental BPL networking

September 12, 2006 -- Broadband powerline (BPL) networking, a wired technology that does not require new cabling to be installed, is poised to emerge as a winner in the residential networking interface race on a worldwide basis, according to a report from In-Stat.

In a recent report, the high technology research firm contends that powerline networking has advantages over coax and twisted-pair cabling for in-home deployment, and that this is especially true in regions with few existing coax or phone jacks, such as in EMEA, Asia, and Pacific Rim countries.

However, according to the firm's analysis, competing wired technologies that also do not require new wires, i.e. coax and twisted pair technologies, will end up sharing the market in some areas. "Some service providers fully expect to use multiple technologies and mediums that will co-exist in their in-home deployments, as long as each medium meets the operators' service quality and cost objectives," says Joyce Putscher, an In-Stat analyst.

Highlights of the analysis, according to firm, include:

-- In 2005, worldwide unit shipments of broadband powerline equipment surpassed 2 million, and the market has reached an inflection point this year that points only upward.

-- Worldwide annual shipments for broadband powerline equipment will exceed 200% growth in 2006.

-- Among other reasons, broadband powerline access can be successful in selected areas where there may only be one broadband Internet provider.

Part of In-Stat's Residential Connectivity Service, the report, "Broadband Powerline Networking Gets a Jolt from IPTV," covers the worldwide broadband powerline networking market. The report provides unit shipment forecasts and forecasts by geographic region, product segment, technology, bandwidth, PHY/MAC chipset ASP, sales by channel (retail vs. service provider), and in-home networking vs. broadband access/utility. The research includes extensive market analysis, including information on significant deployment trials and vendor profiles.

The report's price is $3,495.