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 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  KATHLEEN  Q.  ABERNATHY 
 Re:  Carrier  Current  Systems,  including  Broadband  over  Power  Line  Systems;  ET  Docket  No.  03-  104;  Amendment  of  Part  15  Regarding  New  Requirements  and  Measurement  Guidelines  for  Access  Broadband 
 over  Power  Line  Systems;  ET  Docket  No.  04-  35,  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking 
 This  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  on  broadband  over  power  line  systems  (BPL)  is  an  important  step  forward  in  promoting  the  Commission’s  goal  of  facilitating  the  deployment  of  broadband  services  to 
 all  Americans.  Moving  toward  commercial  deployment  of  BPL  systems  also  will  further  our  goal  of  developing  robust  facilities-  based  competition.  I  want  consumers  to  have  a  choice  of  multiple,  facilities-based 
 providers,  such  as  cable,  DSL,  wireless,  satellite,  and  to  the  extent  possible,  power  line.  We  will  not  get  there  overnight,  but  the  continuing  development  of  BPL  technology  is  a  step  in  the  right  direction. 


 One  of  the  key  issues  in  this  proceeding  is  the  potential  for  harmful  interference  by  BPL  systems  to  licensed  spectrum  users.  Based  on  the  record,  it  is  appropriate  that  we  are  proceeding  cautiously.  I 
 support  our  tentative  conclusion  to  craft  technical  rules  that  minimize  the  potential  for  harmful  interference  to  existing  licensees  and  also  ensure  that  any  instances  of  interference  are  quickly  resolved.  I  look  forward 
 to  reviewing  the  comments  on  these  technical  proposals  and  am  hopeful  that  we  will  be  able  to  develop  rules  that  protect  existing  licensees  from  harmful  interference,  while  enabling  a  promising  new  technology 
 to  move  forward. 
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