Broadband over Powerline (BPL) has been emerging steadily over the past several years for in-home networking, access/utility company applications, and the technology is continuing strong growth, reports market research firm In-Stat. With no new cabling needed, broadband powerline networking is emerging as a winner in the race for multimedia home networking worldwide.

"Management and conservation of energy has become the overriding driver for smart grid, utility applications, where both broadband and low-speed powerline communications will play a role. As a result, we expect solutions using HomePlug Command and Control solutions to emerge in a big way, although we envision many combination solutions evolving including powerline and low-speed wireless technologies" said Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Surpassing the inflection point in 2006, worldwide broadband powerline equipment based on HomePlug, CEPCA and UPA powerline reached 5.4 million.
• Global growth for broadband powerline networking equipment will approach 100 percent in 2007.
• Although broadband has gained most of the attention, the HomePlug Command & Control (HPCC) low-speed specification has recently been approved with meaningful shipments expected in 2008. Worldwide market acceptance is expected to be strong over the next five years, driven by many regional mandates for energy management and savings.