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Broadband over Powerline (BPL) has been steadily emerging over the past several years and the technology continues to grow. With no new cabling needed, broadband powerline networking is turning into a winner according to In-Stat's "Powerline Home Networking 2007 Update: Gaining Power in the Global Market" report.

In-Stat said that global broadband powerline equipment based on the HomePlug, CEPCA and UPA powerline standards reached sales of 5.4 million units in 2006. Global growth for broadband powerline networking equipment will approach 100 percent in 2007.

"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 roll," says Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst.

"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."