TXU to Try BPL

In the biggest effort of its kind so far, TXU Electric Delivery said yesterday it will roll out high-speed Internet services using broadband over powerline (BPL) technology.

The nation’s sixth-largest electric utility, a TXU Corp. subsidiary, has teamed with Current Communications Group LLC, a BPL equipment, software and service provider, to build the network, which will have the potential to reach 2 million subscribers in Dallas-Fort Worth region.

TXU Electric Delivery has signed a 10-year contract, worth $150 million, with Current. Current will develop a so-called smart grid that, in addition to triple-play services, will provide information about electrical performance, such as outages. The system eventually will support automatic meter reading as well.

“BPL will enable us to respond more quickly and efficiently to outages of all magnitudes, manage our distribution network more proactively and further safeguard our dispersed critical assets in today’s heightened security environment,” said Tom Baker, TXU Electric Delivery chairman and CEO.

The companies expect to start building the network in 2006.

Current Communications Group LLC www.currentgroup.com
TXU Corp. www.txucorp.com

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