AT&T plans to offer fast Internet over power lines

AT&T revealed plans to deliver low-cost, high-speed Internet access using power lines. Project AirGig will take plastic antennas that deliver data signals and attach them to already existing power lines, which will create an electromagnetic field to guide the signals across the wires. The technology is different from the one used more than a decade ago by Google and IBM, which presented technical issues, such as reduced speed and interference with emergency frequencies. AT&T Labs is hoping to launch its first field trials in 2017. The technology could widen the potential reach of AT&T, empowering the company to deliver service in rural areas outside of its geographic territory and overseas.