PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA,13 January 2009 -- The IEEE has approved the industry's first standard for Broadband Over Power Lines (BPL).IEEE 1675™, "Standard for Broadband Over Powerline Hardware," provides testing and verification standards for the commonly used hardware, primarily couplers, for BPL installations, and provides suggested installation methods to supplement a utility's or contractor's installation procedures.

BPL provides the ability to send high-speed digital data over the power lines between substations and homes and offices, turning every wall outlet into a portal to the Internet."This standard will give both power utilities and the BPL industry the ability to confidently pursue a BPL installation," says Terrence Burns, Chair of the Broadband over Power Line Standards Working Group, which developed IEEE 1675. "It provides for the protection of and safe operation by utilities personnel, as well as the safety of non-utility workers."IEEE 1675 was sponsored by the Power System Communications Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society.

About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of nearly 900 active standards and more than 400 standards under development. For information on the IEEE-SA, see: http://standards.ieee.org.

About the IEEE
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) is the world’s largest technical professional society. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, the organization is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, the IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world’s literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Additional information about the IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org.