While some meters can be read automatically, even those, in many cases, require a technician to physically gain access to the meter to plug a serial data connector into the meter's faceplate. Some other automated systems transmit data over WiFi, phone lines, and even directly over the powerlines.

BPL would virtually eliminate the costs, inaccuracies, and fraud inherent in reading today's power meters by providing a TCP/IP network node directly at the customer's location, along with all the benefits a networked device can offer.

Computing Unplugged analysis
We believe automated meter reading is the primary driving force behind most utility companies' desire for BPL implementation, not ISP services. Not all areas served by BPL will have consumer ISP services provided.

Because ISP service may be a lower priority to the electrical utilities and because the utilities have less experience in providing broadband ISP service to customers, Computing Unplugged projects the end-user ISP experience with BPL is likely to be less satisfactory than that with cable or DSL, at least in the first years of deployment.

Risks of BPL
Those opposed to BPL claim it both generates radio frequency interference with important radio devices and can be interrupted by simple consumer radio products.

Specific claims against BPL deployment include:

• The Society of Broadcast Engineers argues that BPL operations could adversely affect Emergency Alert System (EAS) transmissions.

• The National Antenna Consortium asserts BPL could interfere with ground-to-air communications, military base communications, and police and fire emergency service communications.

• The International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA), which operates radio call boxes used by the public to call for fire, police, ambulance, road service or other assistance, claims that BPL could provide harmful interference.

• Global2Way Acquisition, LLC, which operates a low power communications service for intra/interstate trucking companies on HF frequencies under secondary licenses, has requested the FCC use caution in granting BPL permissions.

• The ARRL (American Radio Relay League), representing ham radio operators who are also involved in emergency response, claims that certain BPL systems provide unacceptable interference with Amateur Radio gear.

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a response to a notice of inquiry, stating "By design, BPL systems use radio frequency energy on unshielded, unbalanced transmission lines, resulting in the unavoidable radiation of energy. This unintentional radiation will create harmful interference to licensed radio services throughout the spectrum."

• Even the much-maligned, but absolutely essential FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has stated it has "grave concerns" about how the technology would affect its National Radio System.