DIRECTV May Test BPL

The country's largest satellite TV provider may be sitting on a plan to test delivering high-speed internet service in a largely untested way. Ask DIRECTV executives how the company plans to compete with cable's triple play of services, and the answer may come as broadband over powerlines - or BPL.

CEO Chase Carey told attendees at the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit in New York on Monday that DIRECTV may test drive BPL services in a major U.S. city as soon as next year. According to reports, the exec said DIRECTV is talking with companies that specialize in providing broadband via electrical lines, and the satellite company is not alone.

"We're not the only ones talking to them. I think you'll see some meaningful tests in this arena," Carey said. DIRECTV may be getting close to testing the BPL serive in a "top 50 city where you're covering at least half the city."

The DIRECTV head said the company has looked into Wi-MAX for the delivery of internet services. Carey also said a potential partnership with rival EchoStar on a broadband strategy was still being tossed around, as were talks with other companies to bring new broadband options to subscribers.