St. Louis, MO - St Louis-based Ameren Energy Communications and River City Internet Group (RCIG) have partnered with Telkonet, Inc. of Germantown, Md., to provide a unique in-building broadband over power lines (BPL) platform to commercial and multi dwelling unit facilities in Ameren’s Missouri and Illinois service areas.

In-building BPL enables commercial and MDU property owners to leverage their buildings’ existing internal electrical wiring to deliver high-speed broadband Internet access to every electrical outlet, which becomes a broadband access port by simply plugging in a BPL modem. In-building BPL offers broadband speeds of six megabits per second (Mbps), significantly faster than cable or phone lines.

In addition to traditional high-speed Internet access, the in-building BPL platform will have the potential to deliver the following:

• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone service;

• Real time energy monitoring to improve energy efficiency and reliability;

• In-building security and surveillance systems;

• In-building communications through wired LCD panels in lobbies and elevators;

• Building system controls for centralized heating, ventilation and air conditioning;

• Digital signage;

• Secured network connections suitable for government travel standards; and

• Additional wireless “hot spots.”

River City Internet Group will provide the Internet Service Provider (ISP) services for the platform, including Internet backhaul service, business management software, account setup, network implementation, monitoring and maintenance, 24/7 technical support and customer care, hosting and e-mail services.

“In-building BPL allows owners of commercial and MDU facilities to finally make their buildings ‘smart,’” said Trey Goede, executive vice president, River City Internet Group. “The platform offers more immediate functionality than alternative solutions — at a fraction of the cost. Building owners and tenants alike share in the benefit of virtually limitless Internet Protocol (IP) applications by having broadband Internet access available from any electrical outlet in the building.”

Installation of the in-building BPL system can be completed in as little as a few hours or within a few days depending on the size and configuration of the building. The ease of installation prevents the typical time delays and disruption generally associated with running more expensive cable throughout the building.