PLC versus others

Ilevo PLC technology is part of a basket of available technologies for broadband communications. Each technology presents specific characteristics making it more appropriate for a particular application. Here is an overview of all available technologies

Other broadband technologies:
 
ADSL
 Has reached a very good reliability
 Has a very strong installed base
 Offers download bandwidth up to 20 Mbits but upload bandwidth is limited.
 Real performance (as opposed to peak ones announced: 512k, 1M…) depends on the distance between the access point and the DSLAM, and on the load on the network
 Increases the digital divide for very high speed demanding applications (IPTV...)

WiFi
 Best solution in terms of flexibilty for mobility issues
 Designed for in-home applications
 Not "HD Ready"
 Capex similar to PLC
 Pure data transmission - no guarantee of service
 Limited reach - low distance technology
 Sensitivity to environment and topology (walls, obstacles, noise)

Wimax
 Alternative to address mobility issues in extension to WiFi networks, meeting large customers' requirements
 Lack of maturity on the market
 Expensive solution
 Pure data transmission - no guarantee of service

Cable
 High performances
 Expensive solution
 Complex installation
 Restricted mobility and ubiquity
 Better for backbone rather than for last mile

Optical Fiber
 High performances - Technology for very high bandwidth networks
 Expensive solution, especially for FTTH networks, when not extended by a local loop technology such as PLC
 Complex installation
 Restricted mobility and ubiquity
 Better for backbone rather than for last mile

Other PLC technologies:

PLC Homeplug (V1.0 and 85 Mbps)
 Non operated networks
 Low cost solution
 Pure data transmission - no guarantee of service
 Limited reach
 Design for in-home applications with low bandwidth requirements (no HDTV)

PLC narrow band
 Appropriate for monitoring & control applications and for Automatic Meter Reading
 Not adapted for other applications
 Can be combined with Ilevo's offer

The purpose of this overview is to compare all broadband communication technologies, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Although, no technology is better than the others. All are complementary and should coexist. Ilevo strongly believes that the future will rely on multi technology solutions, optimizing technical and commercial performances.