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HomePlug Powerline Alliance Announces Revolutionary Advancements for Next-Generation Powerline Networks
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HomePlug's AV2 Specification Will Support Gigabit-class Powerline Networking and Greatly Improve the Delivery of High-bandwidth Applications throughout the Home
Portland, Ore. - July 28, 2010 - The HomePlug® Powerline Alliance today announced that its Technical Working Group (TWG) has made major advancements to the HomePlug AV2 specification, designed to meet the expanding requirements of the connected digital home. The AV2 specification will be fully interoperable with current HomePlug AV and future HomePlug Green PHY and IEEE 1901 products.
"Powerline networking between modems and set-top boxes is being used today by many broadband service providers to reduce capital expenses and support costs associated with delivering new triple play and IPTV services," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "More than 50 operator/service providers have deployed HomePlug AV powerline networking solutions as a means to expand services. These providers require a migration path to a much higher performance powerline technology to meet future bandwidth demands while maintaining interoperability with their current HomePlug AV installations and future IEEE1901 products."
Major powerline enhancements the TWG selected for inclusion in the developing HomePlug AV2 specification include: MIMO (Multiple-Inputs Multiple-Outputs) offers significant increases in link throughput and range without requiring additional spectrum or transmit power. MIMO allows the data signal to propagate from multiple outputs to multiple inputs implementing advanced transmission coding schemes which will increase capacity and enable more reliable and expanded home coverage. This is similar to the 802.11n and 802.16e which use MIMO solutions with wireless products to extend performance. Increased MAC (Medium Access Control) efficiencies that lower overhead and expand throughput Increased operating spectrum: the specification will expand operations into an additional spectrum, up to an order of magnitude beyond current powerline technology. This increased bandwidth will further improve performance. Extending coverage via repeating and routing technology in networks of three or more nodes
The HomePlug AV2 specification is expected to deliver a 5x increase in performance over current HomePlug AV solutions at the application layer to offer significant improvements in whole home coverage to guarantee reliable delivery of throughput intensive applications such as multiple streams of 1080p HD video (and emerging 3D and 4K HD) broadband Internet, Internet gaming and security camera video over existing electrical wiring. These advancements are necessary to meet the increasingly demanding Quality of Experience (QoE) requirements of service providers and consumer electronics companies.
HomePlug's Technical Working Group made these important selections based on extensive international field testing and channel characterization, technical evaluations, simulations and experience with the widely deployed base of HomePlug AV products. The goal is to deliver a comprehensive and technically detailed specification using proven technology validated by careful technical scrutiny and rigorous testing. HomePlug plans to finalize the specification in the first quarter of 2011.
"The TWG made significant progress toward our goal of deploying a truly next-generation HomePlug powerline specification to address future market demands, and that is built on the excellent powerline products readily available and in use," said Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. "Consumers are increasingly interested in the large, growing volumes of video, gaming and other media content available via the Internet, and they need an easy way to connect entertainment devices that allow them to move multiple streams of content to any room in the home. HomePlug AV has been the powerline technology of choice, and AV2 provides an aggressive migration path to support greater network capacity and distribution of ultra-high quality content throughout the home."
HomePlug devices account for more than 80 percent of the world's broadband powerline communications market and over 45 million devices have shipped to date. The alliance works with key stakeholders to ensure all of its specifications are designed to meet the requirements of IPTV service providers, power utilities, equipment and appliance manufacturers, consumer electronics and other important stakeholders. HomePlug operates the powerline networking industry's largest Compliance and Interoperability Certification Program to ensure true multi-vendor co-existence and interoperability. The program has certified more than 200 products and will also begin certifying IEEE 1901 products in 2010.
Please visit www.HomePlug.org for more information on the HomePlug Powerline Alliance.
About the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance Founded in 2000, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative with 70 member companies that creates specifications and certification logo programs for using the power lines for reliable home networking and Smart Grid applications. The Alliance accelerates worldwide adoption for HomePlug technology by collaborating with international standards organizations such as the IEEE and through market development and user education programs. Sponsor members include Atheros Communications (ATHR); Cisco (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK); GE Energy, an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Gigle Networks; Motorola, Inc. (MOT); Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723); SPiDCOM Technologies; and STMicroelectronics (STM). Contributor members include Arkados (OTCBB: AKDS) and Corporate Systems Engineering.
For More Information, Contact: Megan Novak Shockney Ardell Group for HomePlug Phone: 858-442-3492
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13 things you should know about the Universal Service Reform Act
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[found at ConnectedPlanetOnline.com] Jul 23, 2010 1:17 PM, By Joan Engebretson
Proposed legislation would codify transition to broadband, has wide support among landline telcos
New Universal Service legislation introduced this week has the backing of telcos large and small, at least on the landline side. Those endorsing the bill range from AT&T, Verizon, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and US Telecom on the large carrier side to CenturyLink, Frontier Communications, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, OPASTCO and the Independent Telephone and Telecommunications Alliance on the smaller carrier side.
If passed, the legislation would give the Federal Communications Commission the authority required to convert today’s voice-centric Universal Service plan to one focused on broadband. The FCC’s authority to regulate broadband was called into question by the Comcast court decision earlier this year.
The legislation is not, however, a rubber stamp on the reforms the FCC would like to see to the Universal Service high-cost plan, which were outlined in the National Broadband Plan released in March. A draft of the new legislation actually was circulated back in November—several months prior to the National Broadband Plan’s release.
The new legislation was introduced by Jay Rockefeller, who is a Democratic U.S. representative from Virginia and chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications Technology and the Internet and by Lee Terry, a Republican representative from Nebraska.
Redwood City, CA; Barcelona, Spain and Edinburgh, UK – July 20, 2010 – Gigle Networks, the leading developer of intelligent multi-PHY switching devices for both wired and wireless entertainment"grade home networking, today announced that NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, has selected Gigle Networks’ GGL301 HomePlug® AV / IEEE 1901 solution with Xtendnet™ intelligent switching technology to give its XAV101V2 powerline adapters best-in-class network coverage and reliability in the home.
NETGEAR’s XAV101V2 enables consumers to quickly and easily connect their multimedia devices and share digital content using the existing electrical wiring in their homes. Advanced quality of service (QoS) support enables simultaneous delivery of high definition (HD) video streams, voice over IP (VoIP) calls, streaming audio, broadband data and other demanding broadband services. The NETGEAR XAV101V2 adapters’ embedded Gigle GGL301 HomePlug® AV / IEEE 1901 technology simplifies installation, eliminating the need for cumbersome configuration software, or special knowledge of networking technology. Users set up a point-to-point connection by simply plugging the adapter into a power outlet; additional devices can be joined to the network by plugging them into other outlets in the home. Security can be automatically configured by pressing the Push-and-Secure button.
Gigle Networks’ 200Mbps GGL301 device is a fully-integrated, low-cost, single-chip networking solution, designed for use in powerline adapters and for embedded applications in consumer electronics appliances. It features dual media independent interface (MII) ports allowing for efficient interfacing to additional network processors and networked appliances, and supports Gigle Networks’ Xtendnet™ intelligent switching technology, which amplifies and re-times signals on the powerline for improved network coverage. It does not require any complex support circuitry, and meets the active and standby power requirements for adapters of the Energy using Products Directive (EuP) Lot 6. The GGL301 device is certified HomePlug®AV compliant and is the first solution designed to support the IEEE 1901 Inter-System coexistence Protocol (ISP).
“NETGEAR is a highly respected market leader and innovator of solutions for home and small office networking,” said Tom Foster, vice president of sales with Gigle Networks. “We are delighted that they have chosen our GGL301 for their high-volume powerline home networking product XAV101V2 and are pleased to support them in further simplifying the consumer experience as they seek to install their own entertainment home network using the NETGEAR adapters.”
"NETGEAR is committed to offering consumers the best performing standards-compliant products in each segment it serves,” said Chris Geiser, NETGEAR’s product line manager for powerline devices. “We are very pleased to be working with Gigle Networks in the development of our Homeplug AV and IEEE 1901 product line, and made the decision to include the GGL301 device after an extensive interoperability and comparative performance evaluation. Gigle Networks’ GGL301 solution enables the XAV101V2 to provide our customers with a simple, cost-effective, reliable and robust means of connecting multimedia devices, anywhere in the home, including multi-room DVR networking, IPTV, home media content distribution and storage, and other home-entertainment networking applications.”
NETGEAR’s XAV101V2 powerline adapters will be available in August.
About NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of Small- to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and home users. The company offers an end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 26,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 39,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available by visiting www.netgear.com or calling (408) 907-8000.
About Gigle Networks: Plug into the Fun Gigle Networks provides System--"on--"Chip (SoC) integrated circuits and complete system solutions for multimedia home networking that can extend wired and wireless Ethernet everywhere in the home – without the need for new wires. Targeted for applications such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), broadband TV (BBTV), video on demand (VoD), and voice over IP (VoIP), Gigle Networks’ products offer superior performance, coverage and Quality of Service when compared to alternative communication technologies, and are designed to be easily integrated into consumer electronics and networked products. Gigle Networks is a strong supporter of open standards, a board member of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, and an active participant in the IEEE 1901 standards body and the ITU-T G.hn wireline standardization initiative. Gigle Networks has offices in Redwood City, Calif., Barcelona, Spain, and Edinburgh, UK.
Contact: Andy Melder VP Business Development Gigle Networks 650-592-3810 andy.melder@giglenetworks.com Kelly Poffenberger, Senior Consultant, Magnet PR Group 714-553-9071 Kellyp@magnetprgroup.com or Carolyn Fromm, President, Magnet PR Group 949-651-9539 Carolyn@magnetprgroup.com
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Smart Grid Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020 - Major Government Investments through Utility Companies to Drive the Global Market
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GBI Research has released its research offering on Smart Grids, “Smart Grid Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020 - Major Government Investments Through Utility Companies to Drive the Market”, which provides key data, information and analysis on the global smart grid market. The report provides the market drivers, restraints and market trends information for the four major smart grid technologies, namely smart meters, broadband over power line, high voltage direct current transmission systems and energy storage. The report also includes an analysis of the four smart grid technologies in the four major geographic regions, namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and the rest of the world. The report provides comprehensive information on key market trends with superior analytics. The market for smart meters is at a nascent stage, with full scale roll-outs happening only in few countries such as the US, Canada, Italy, Sweden and others. Many countries including Brazil, the UK and Finland among others are installing such meters in trial projects and are getting ready for full scale roll-outs. The global smart meters market is poised for high growth during the forecast period 2010-2020. Currently, in 2010, less than 5% of the total global market is installed with smart meters. Under the moderate scenario, smart meter market penetration is expected to reach at least 55% or 719.3 million meters of total global potential by 2020.
[Ed: No endorsement of this or any report is implied by our linking to them. We provide this for informational purposes only.]
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Morristown (TN, USA) Selects Tantalus Smart Grid Network
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[found on smart-grid.tmcnet.com] By Raju Shanbhag, TMCnet Contributor
The latest energy management programs from the companies usually focus on educating customers on saving and using the energy in an intelligent manner. Continuing this trend, Morristown Utility Systems has added Tantalus’ Smart Grid functionality to an existing Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network. This will help the company to interact with customers in cost saving and conservation initiatives.
The Tantalus Utility Network enables a utility to instantly pinpoint outages and track service restoration. To monitor power quality at every endpoint in order to locate power anomalies before they impact revenues or inconvenience customers.
Morristown will make use of Tantalus to transmit meter readings from its 12,000 residential and industrial water accounts. By deploying a Tantalus system, the company can build out the value of the network and set the stage for time-of-use pricing and tightly coordinated load control.
“Tennessee is at the forefront of Smart Grid innovation and application,” said Eric Murray, president and CEO of Tantalus. “What’s notable is that each utility has different goals and evolution strategies. Some, like Pulaski, Chattanooga and now Morristown want to drive more value from their broadband networks while preparing for TOU pricing and Demand Response. Others use Tantalus’ wireless radio solution for advanced metering.”
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HomePlug Powerline Alliance and HD-PLC Alliance to Develop Joint Certification Program for Shared Coexistence Mechanism
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For release: 13 Apr 2010 Program ensures that IEEE P1901 PLC devices coexist with one another and other compliant technologies, enabling communications across power lines without interference
PISCATAWAY, N.J.- The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) today announced that it is facilitating cooperation between the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance and HD-PLC Alliance . Initially, work is focused on a joint certification program for the Inter-System Protocol (ISP) in the IEEE P1901 standard that allows coexistence between Power Line Communications (PLC) technologies. The coexistence standard allows physical devices that are compliant with different variants of the IEEE P1901 standard to operate without interference, enabling high-speed communications across shared electric power connections.
The ISP certification testing is now being finalized with an interoperability "plugfest" scheduled for May 2010 to certify the first compliant silicon chips.
"We are pleased to work with HomePlug Powerline Alliance to ensure coexistence of our PLC technologies," said Michimasa Aramaki, president of the HD-PLC Alliance. "The collaborative environment provided by IEEE-SA will allow us to work together to expand the marketplace for IEEE P1901-compliant products and contribute to accelerated Smart Grid rollout."
Added Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance: "Now is the right time for this joint certification program with HD-PLC Alliance, with momentum growing for Smart Grid development worldwide. Our cooperation with HD-PLC will make IEEE P1901 even more robust and useful in the Smart Grid and other applications."
A wide variety of industries and markets stand to benefit from the ability for PLC technologies to coexist with one another. In the Smart Grid, for example, wide adoption of standards such as IEEE P1901 is seen as one of the critical steps necessary to encourage the production of low-cost Smart Grid-ready home appliances.
IEEE-SA facilitates like-minded organizations coming together in the early stages of collaborative work through its Industry Connections program (http://standards.ieee.org/prod-serv/indconn/index.html), an efficient, effective, and economical framework for building industry consensus. Groups have the unique opportunity to leverage IEEE and IEEE-SA resources in a customized format and produce varied content, such as proposals for standards, white papers, specialized tools or processes and online databases.
About the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance Founded in 2000, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative with more than 70 member companies that creates specifications and certification logo programs for using the powerlines for reliable home networking and Smart Grid applications. The Alliance accelerates worldwide adoption for HomePlug technology by collaborating with international standards organizations such as the IEEE and through market development and user education programs. Sponsor members include Atheros Communications (ATHR); Cisco (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); Duke Energy (DUK), GE Energy, an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Gigle Networks; Motorola, Inc. (MOT); NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723); and SPiDCOM Technologies. Contributor members include Arkados (OTCBB: AKDS); Corporate Systems Engineering; and Renesas Technology Corp. For more information, visit http://www.homeplug.org.
About the HD-PLC Alliance HD-PLC Alliance was established on September 25, 2007, to promote the world-wide adoption of HD-PLC high-speed power line communication technology, and the interoperability of devices that use that technology. HD-PLC Alliance is a non-profit association of more than 20 members including industrial leading organizations. The Alliance dedicates its efforts to leading the international standardization such as IEEE, and certification logo program For more information, visit http://www.hd-plc.org/.
About the IEEE Standards Association The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 900 active standards and more than 400 standards under development. For information on the IEEE-SA, see: http://standards.ieee.org.
About the IEEE IEEE is the world's largest professional association advancing innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, IEEE is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to the advancement of technology, IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Additional information about IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org.
For More Information, Contact: Megan Novak Shockney Ardell Group for HomePlug Phone: 858-442-3492 Email Megan Novak Shockney
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PLDT tests broadband service over power lines
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by Jeremiah F. de Guzman
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. is looking at the commercial launching of broadband over power lines next year after conducting several trials this year.
PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno told reporters that the largest telecommunication company had completed a study on providing Internet service over the power lines of affiliate Manila Electric Co. and was now testing the service.
“We have studied them,” he said, adding that “all has a good chance of working.”
He said PLDT was testing technologies to determine which would best work for the Philippines.
“Our estimate is that this year, we will only have trials and actual or commercial offering might happen next year,” Nazareno said.
BPL, or power-line Internet, is a technology that uses a conductor to provide broadband Internet access. A BPL modem is plugged into an outlet in an equipped building in order to have high-speed internet access.
PLDT earlier said Meralco was not required to acquire permits with the National Telecommunications Commission in the provision of the power-line Internet service since the power firm.
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Manassas, Virginia Decides to shut down BPL network service effective July 2010
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[Ed: Wow either I seriously underestimated the size of the BPL-hater bandwagon or there's a little too much content copying going on out there in BPL-land. There are a plethora of sites reporting that Manassas, VA has voted to kill off it's BPL service... and appear to be taking a little too much pleasure tripping over themselves to say 'I told you so, nyaa nyaa!!' ]
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Smart Meters can be Hacked. In Other News... the Sky is Blue.
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A news report hit the AP today regarding the vulnerabilities in smart meters. It's interesting to note that it spread as far as the SANS computer security email blast where little has been mentioned about powerline.
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HomePlug Powerline Alliance Announces Milestones on 10th Anniversary as Powerline Technology Leader
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LONDON - (Business Wire) At the IPTV World Forum, the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance, the driving force for global powerline network technology, today celebrated its 10th anniversary by announcing several key milestones. With HomePlug technology continuing to gain momentum for broadband, IPTV and triple-play services, the organization has added nine technology vendors and utility companies to its roster, and is nearing the completion of the new Green PHY (GP) specification for Smart Grid applications.
HomePlug and HomePlug AV devices currently account for more than 75 percent of the world's broadband powerline communications market, with over 45 million devices sold to date and shipments forecasted to reach 60 million by year’s end. More than 50 of the world’s leading service providers are already utilizing HomePlug technology to deploy broadband, IPTV and triple-play offerings. HomePlug products take advantage of the most universal wired communications medium (a home’s existing electrical wiring) to reliably deliver audio and video without packet loss – which is ideal for streaming IPTV throughout a home.
“The HomePlug Powerline Alliance has maintained its leadership in the broadband powerline industry for 10 years and is now evolving to enable the latest broadband and Smart Grid applications,” said Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. “We support the industry’s first international powerline standard (IEEE 1901), and we continue to increase and diversify our membership while expanding our technology roadmap by completing the Green PHY (GP) specification for Smart Grid applications.”
Growth of the alliance continues with new members added in the silicon supplier, service provider and OEM categories; such broad diversity is necessary for complete industry representation and a global HomePlug ecosystem. New members include: Atheros Communications, Inc.; Broadcom Corporation; D-Link Systems, Inc.; ETSA Utilities; Kawasaki Microelectronics America, Inc.; Marvell Semiconductor; Polaris Networks; Sigma Designs, Inc. and Western Digital Corporation.
For Smart Grid applications, the HomePlug Alliance is developing HomePlug GP, a powerline specification targeting low power, cost-optimized solutions such as HVAC thermostats, smart meters, home appliances and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PEHV). Since HomePlug GP is derived from HomePlug AV, it will be fully interoperable with the new IEEE 1901 Draft Powerline Standard. Major utility companies, including Duke Energy, are supporting HomePlug by giving direct input into the specification requirements, helping optimize the technology for real world deployments.
The HomePlug Alliance also operates the powerline networking industry's largest Compliance and Interoperability (C&I) Certification Program to ensure true multi-vendor compliance and interoperability. The program has certified more than 200 products and will also begin certifying IEEE 1901 products in Q2 2010.
HomePlug is the official Exhibition Guide Sponsor of IPTV World Forum, taking place March 25-27 at Olympia National Hall in London. Several HomePlug members will be exhibiting HomePlug powerline networking solutions for IPTV, including: Atheros Communications, Inc. (Stand 121), devolo AG (Stand 43), LEA (Stand 153) and Sigma Designs, Inc. (Stand 13). Additionally, HomePlug’s president, Rob Ranck, will be speaking on the Connected Home panel on Thursday, March 25. This panel will address connecting the home, the battle for the home and unclaimed revenue opportunities for operators, as well as standards and opportunities.
Please visit www.HomePlug.org for more information on the HomePlug Powerline Alliance.
About the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance
Founded in 2000, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative with more than 75 member companies that creates specifications and certification logo programs for using the powerlines for reliable home networking and Smart Grid applications. The Alliance accelerates worldwide adoption for HomePlug technology by collaborating with international standards organizations such as the IEEE and through market development and user education programs. Sponsor members include Atheros Communications (ATHR); Cisco (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK); GE Energy, an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Gigle Networks; Motorola, Inc. (MOT); NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723); and SPiDCOM Technologies. Contributor members include Arkados (OTCBB: AKDS); Corporate Systems Engineering; and Renesas Technology Corp.
The Ardell Group for HomePlug Megan Novak Shockney (858) 442-3492 megan@ardellgroup.com
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