Building broadband distribution access to existing power line distribution system is of course economically beneficial. However, advanced modulation and signalling procedures allows to significantly reducing their interference to neighbouring teleinformatic systems. However, it is clear that the profitability of deployment of BPL systems for broadband distribution may be very different based on geographical location, infrastructure, power grid, telecommunications advancement of the country, population density and other aspects.
One of them is also benefit of using BPL systems to access Internet, distribution of audio, video programs or building local area networks in buildings, where are limited possibilities for construction works, installing new cabling (historic buildings, museums, exhibition halls, old school buildings etc.). On the other hand, modern PLC/BPL systems can be an important component while implementing certain services in “smart buildings.” Some of these applications have already been implemented in various parts of the world.
Despite the considerable potential that incorporates BPL access networks, however, compared with wideband x-DSL and CATV, their current percentage share of the global telecommunications market is relatively small. It is also necessary to take into account the increasingly stronger succession of technologies for fast wireless access, fixed or mobile. On the global scale, PLC/BPL technology will only gradually catch up with some competitive tele information technologies.
BPL systems still have their chance to be exploited on a mass scale. In addition to the already built basic access to all potential customers in developed countries, majority of electric power companies possesses relatively significant resources that can be invested in new services and effective marketing. Although PLC/BPL systems can find application in all of these areas, they are the most promising is in the implementation of so-called smart energy networks, known as Smart Grids (SG).