200Mbps Broadband Trial

Tasmania power company Aurora Energy is planning a broadband over powerlines trial that will see 200Mbps Internet piped to homes via the State’s electrical power grid.

VoIP company engine and ISP Datafast will join prime contractor Mitsubishi Electric in support of the trial. Aurora may well be the first company in the world to deploy this 200 megabit equipment to the public on a commercial basis, said Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, Bryan Green.

“The beneficiaries, assuming this commercial trial is successful, will be the families and businesses of Tasmania. The trial will start in suburban Hobart where households will have direct mail invitations shortly,” he said.

“But it’s hoped to attract about 500 homes and businesses including in the northern half of the State.

Green said if the commercial trial is successful, Aurora’s 250,000 customers will have access to the broadband and telephone services.

Green said domestic data transfer speeds of 256 kilobits up to one megabit could be provided for comparable prices, “This holds out the real possibility that the technology will bring broadband to the masses.”

VoIP service provider engin will be the voice carrier for TasTel, Aurora’s ISP subsidiary. engin and Mitsubishi Electric engineers have worked closely together in both Australia and Japan to incorporate engin’s VoIP technology in the 200 Megabit BPL product developed by Mitsubishi.

engin Chief Executive Officer Ilkka Tales said VoIP over BPL has the potential to change the face of the current telecommunications landscape. “engin’s VoIP network and services has proved its ability to deliver high quality calls to land lines and mobile phones over BPL and has adapted perfectly to this new environment. Combining BPL technology with engin can create an affordable last mile solution to consumers and businesses.”