Satellite television service company DirecTV Inc. and Current Group, a Germantown-based alternative broadband provider, have entered into a wholesale distribution agreement that packages Current’s Internet and VoIP services with DirecTV’s television offerings.
“It’s very important to encourage development of broadband alternatives,” DirecTV Vice President of Broadband Evan Grayer said.
Current’s unconventional service, known as Broadband Over Powerline (BPL), uses existing electric wires to transmit broadband high-speed Internet through regular electrical outlets.
Customers plug a modem device into an outlet for wired or wireless service.
The technology itself is relatively new, said Brendan Herron, Current’s vice president of corporate development and strategy.
But while the technology is fully developed, spreading it to other markets takes time, mainly because of the “public policy component.” Congress is discussing options such as a Smart Grid, Herron said, which monitors electricity efficiency and requires the type of BPL technology Current uses. Both Grayer and Herron said BPL’s speed is competitive with cable and DSL.
The DirecTV agreement covers domestic and international locations where DirecTV operates, dependent on Current’s access to utility lines.
Current is in discussions with several utilities companies in the metro area, Herron said.
