Broadband powerline networking will emerge a winner in residential networking

Broadband powerline networking, a wired technology that does not require new cabling to be installed, is poised to emerge as a winner in the residential networking interface race on a worldwide basis, reports In-Stat.

Powerline networking has advantages over coax and twisted-pair cabling for in-home deployment. This is especially true in regions with few existing coax or phone jacks, such as in EMEA, Asia, and Pacific Rim countries, the high-tech market research firm says.

The competing wired technologies, coax and twisted pair, that also do not require new wires will end up sharing the market in some areas. "Some service providers fully expect to use multiple technologies and mediums that will co-exist in their in-home deployments, as long as each medium meets the operators' service quality and cost objectives," says Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

- In 2005, worldwide unit shipments of broadband powerline equipment surpassed 2 million, and the market has reached an inflection point this year that points only upward.
- Worldwide annual shipments for broadband powerline equipment will exceed 200[%] growth in 2006.
- In addition to other reasons, broadband powerline access can be successful in selected areas where there may only be one broadband Internet provider.