世論 What Japan Thinks

PLC, or Power Line Communication, is basically a home networking scheme that allows one to use the standard mains cabling for networking computers. One needs a separate link to the outside world, of course, via ASDL or whatever, but otherwise just a pair of compact plug adapters will get you networked. PLC was the highlighted topic for this story on japan.internet.com based on a survey from goo Research into computers.

Demographics

Between the 9th and 12th of April 2009 1,089 members of the goo Research monitor team completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 53.3% were male, 16.6% in their teens, 18.4% in their twenties, 21.0% in their thirties, 16.6% in their forties, 15.6% in their fifties and 11.8% aged sixty or older.

If I had a home without built-in ethernet, I’d probably choose PLC over wireless, as there are no worries about freeloaders or other security issues associated with WiFi and the speed is in theory higher, although on the other hand I’ve heard that the main problem with PLC is power spikes inferfering with connections whenever household electrical items turn on and off, and of course if you have an old building with dodgy wiring there’s going to be problems.

Research results

Q1: Do you know the term “PLC”? (Sample size=1,089)

Know about it in detail	7.8%
Know something about it	12.7%
Just heard the term	16.9%
Never heard of it	62.6%

Q2: Do you know of techniques for transmitting data using electric cabling? (Sample size=1,089)

Know about it in detail	7.3%
Know something about it	17.9%
Just heard the term	23.3%
Never heard of it	51.5%

Q3: Do you use PLC at home? (Sample size=1,089)

Using it	2.8%
Not using it	70.5%
Don’t know	26.7%