A Review After Twelve Months of BPL Rollout: Successful Collaboration Confirms the WAN-as-a-Service Model Even in Challenging Network Areas
Mannheim/Ludwigshafen, November 10, 2026 – Pfalzwerke Netz AG and the PPC subsidiary Coms4Grid have given a positive assessment of their collaboration to date on the Broadband Powerline (BPL) rollout. About a year after the project began, the jointly built communications infrastructure has achieved coverage rates of over 95 percent. Even in rural regions with challenging topography and overhead power lines, such as the Palatinate Forest, BPL technology delivers high availability and stable data transmission.
Marcel Franke, standardization expert in the Network Management division at Pfalzwerke Netz AG, summarizes the successes: “Over the course of this project year, broadband powerline has clearly demonstrated its importance as a communications infrastructure for the widespread smart meter rollout. Reliable data transmission ensures high predictability during the rollout and, at the same time, forms an essential foundation for future control in the smart grid.”
Pfalzwerke Netz AG plans to implement a large portion of its smart meter gateway rollout using the WAN-as-a-Service model. LTE will also be used to ensure the widest possible coverage.
A key factor in this success is the close collaboration between Pfalzwerke Netz AG and Coms4Grid. As a WAN-as-a-Service partner, Coms4Grid coordinates the deployment of the BPL network, provides the necessary modems and connection materials, and oversees the installation. Pfalzwerke Netz AG, together with its installation partners, handles the on-site implementation. The combination of technical expertise, coordinated processes, and regional network knowledge enables an efficient and reliable expansion of the infrastructure.
Roland Klaiber, Managing Director of Coms4Grid, comments: “Availability rates of over 95 percent demonstrate that BPL is a high-performance communication solution for the smart meter rollout, even under demanding conditions. Crucial to this success is the close and trusting collaboration with Pfalzwerke Netz AG. Together, we are creating a stable communications infrastructure upon which future smart grid applications can also be built.”
About PPC
Power Plus Communications AG (PPC) is a leading provider of certified smart meter gateways and communication technology for the digital transformation of the energy transition. The smart meter gateway offers the highest level of data protection and security in smart metering and smart grid applications. As a pioneer in BPL technology and a leader in M2M cellular solutions, PPC possesses outstanding experience and expertise in the energy and telecommunications sectors. The Mannheim-based technology company has received numerous awards for its innovative strength and is a leading partner to many energy providers and communications network operators.
