DIRECTV announced a wholesale distribution agreement that enables it to offer its customers CURRENT's BPL (Broadband Over Powerline) high-speed Internet service and VoIP services. DIRECTV customers will be able to access the Internet by plugging a BPL modem into virtually any outlet in their home. 
Under the deal, DIRECTV will have access to CURRENT's BPL network, initially in the Dallas/Fort Worth BPL network that will cover approximately 1.8 million homes and businesses over the next several years. DIRECTV will be able to market a bundle that includes DIRECTV high-speed Internet and VoIP services to its residential customers. In addition, the agreement provides DIRECTV the ability to add other geographic markets as CURRENT builds out its network.
The companies said the access speeds would be comparable to today cable modem offerings.
http://www.directv.com
http://www.currentgroup.com
- CURRENT's investors include Duke Energy Corporation, EarthLink, EnerTech Capital, Google, Goldman, Sachs & Co., General Electric Company, Hearst Corporation, Liberty Associated Partners (an investment partnership between Liberty Media Corporation and the Berkman family) and TXU Corp, among others.
