Tasmanian power utility Aurora Energy has announced plans for what is believed to be the first large scale commercial trial of Mitsubishi Electric's 200Mpbs broadband over powerline technology.

For the trial, it will partner with Mitsubishi, its telco subsidiary Tastel (a joint venture with Hydro Tasmania and AAPT), broadband ISP Datafast and VoIP service provider engin, which has already provided VoIP services to a much smaller BPL trial being undertaken in Queanbeyan by Country Energy.

Announcing the trial Bryan Green, Tasmania's minister for infrastructure, energy and resources, said: "The trial will start in suburban Hobart where households will have direct mail invitations shortly... It is hoped to attract about 500 homes and businesses including [some] in the northern half of the State." Green said that if the commercial trial was successful, it could be extended to all of Aurora's 250,000 customers.

Datafast CEO, Simon Ehrenfeld said: "This is not a technical trial - the technology works. This is the first stage of a commercial rollout."