Rival looms to bypass 'last mile' Telecom copper

By RICHARD WOOD

A consortium of New Zealand and international companies has been formed to push power-line communications in New Zealand by bypassing the "last mile" copper telephone lines of Telecom.

The consortium, led by Christchurch's Powerline Communications, includes US-based PacAmTel, Canada's SuperBT, German-based Bender Information and SystemTechnology, and New Zealand-based Civic Enterprises.

Powerline spokesman Harmon Wilfred said the consortium would bring PLC to urban and rural areas and also had the dairy industry in its sights.

PLC was a better solution for New Zealand than satellite for rural businesses and communities.

"I've been sent here specifically to light up New Zealand. That's what we're going to do."

The technology of the consortium would allow the company to globally send and receive data from satellite, fibre-optic carriers and other backbone systems into the power grid and to the consumer.

The company is believed to be working with UnitedNetworks on its PLC trial.

President Juergen Bender said Powerline was ready to work with any lines company in New Zealand and he hoped to show New Zealand what could be done by testing the technology with groups having trouble getting decent telecommunications services.

Key staff from the consortium firms include: John Rutherford, chairman of New Zealand-based TV station operator Civic Enterprises; Juergen Bender, who has developed business cases for commercialisation of PLC; Damon Rutherford, chief executive of US-based PacAmTel; and Wilfred, from SuperBT.