Open Source News

OPERA, the Open PLC European Research Alliance for a new generation of Powerline Communications integrated network technology, has announced that all its targets have been achieved and the Project is ready for its final review by the European Commission experts.

This achievement puts an end to the second phase of a five year EU-funded ambitious project which has involved all relevant European PLC stakeholders. This second phase counted on the participation of 26 partners based in 11 different countries. OPERA consortium has always been guided by a technically driven, precompetitive focus and neutral behavior. OPERA has consistently promoted a fast and open development of a technology which is considered key for the future of telecoms and energy industries.

OPERA Coordinator, Mr. Javier Arriola, expressed his satisfaction on the work done so far: "I am very pleased with Opera achievements. I indeed believe OPERA has strongly contributed to improve PLC technology. All aspects have been addressed in different activities: prototypes and software development, ancillary devices, new software tools, integration with other technologies and services ... and everything with an excellent technical quality."

One important milestone which recently took place is the final confirmation of an agreed baseline for an open, global Access PLC standard which is being developed at IEEE P1901. OPERA has been very active and supportive of this process and was present at the last working group meeting which held the confirmation vote. OPERA considers a successful standardization process is crucial to move forward to an industrially mature technology for the marketplace.

All OPERA work and results are publicly available on the website.