IBM broadband service to reach rural areas
- International Business Machines Corp. said it reached a deal to provide high-speed Internet service to rural areas using existing power lines.
IBM's $9.6 million deal with International Broadband Electric Communications will deploy IBEC's Broadband over Power Lines equipment to customers of electrical cooperatives, InformationWeek reported.
"Americans in rural areas of the country trail their urban and suburban counterparts in broadband availability," IBEC Chief Executive Officer Scott Lee said in a statement.
"This capability will play a crucial role in rural health, education and economic development, while closing the digital divide that exists between well served and under served America," Lee said.
IBM said there were more than 900 electrical cooperatives in the country that make up 45 percent of the nation's power grid.
Customers need only to plug in their computers to any electrical outlet with Broadband over Power Line service to receive a high-speed broad band service.
But the system has drawbacks with some complaining it interferes with short wave radio signals, InformationWeek reported.
Related News
B.C. Challenges Alberta's Electricity Export Restrictions
CALGARY - In a move that underscores the complexities of Canada's interprovincial energy relationships, the government of British Columbia (B.C.) has formally expressed concerns over recent electricity restrictions imposed by Alberta. These restrictions, which limit the export of electricity from Alberta to neighboring provinces, have significant implications for energy sharing, economic cooperation, and the broader Canadian energy landscape.
Background: Alberta's Electricity Restrictions
Alberta, traditionally reliant on coal and natural gas for electricity generation, has been undergoing a transition towards more sustainable energy sources. However, the pace and nature of this transition have led to challenges in meeting both domestic demand…
