Pattern Communications and Ascom to provide Internet via electrical grid

Pattern Communications, a Polish-American company which plans to provide Internet access in Poland, has announced a new partnership with Switzerland's Ascom, producer of power line communications technology equipment. Pattern's Internet access scheme would allow transmission of data, voice and images along already existing electrical wires. The two cooperating companies will soon begin tests of the new technology with three major electricity providers in Poland. Until now Pattern Communications worked with Israeli Main.net which provided the necessary equipment. "So far all tests have been bringing positive results," said Pattern Communications representative Kinga Maciejewska. "However, only once the tests are finished will we decide whether to cooperate with one or both producers." Pattern Communications is still looking for a financial investor which would facilitate nationwide expansion of the company. The new service is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2002 in regions where the company already cooperates with electricity providers. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Jan. 12-13, p. 26) A.K.