Broadband-over-powerlines gains investors, detractors

"A leading market researcher warned that broadband-over-powerline (BPL) communications may fail to compete against DSL and cable. Undeterred, corporate heavyweights are investing in the techology.
Google, Goldman Sachs and Hearst have invested in a major utility providing fast data access over AC power lines, and IBM is reported to be partnering with another utility to trial the technology.
Broadband analyst Melissa Yocom of IMS Research (Austin, Texas) said that with many BPL operators still working on trial deployments there's a large chance the technology may not make it off the ground. "

[EETimes]