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Specifically, Google, the Hearst Corporation and Goldman Sachs are investing in Current Communications Group. This is a company that provides broadband services over electric power lines and in-home electric wiring.

The size of the investment hasn't been declared, but there is speculation that it is to the tune of $100 million. It is intended to help Current Communications expand from its base in Cincinnati, Ohio and out to wider US and international markets.

'These investments provide us with both capital and operating assistance as we continue to roll out Broadband-over-Power Line services to provide voice, video and data services,' said William Berkman, Chairman of Current Communications Group. 'With roughly two-thirds of the nation still without broadband and many utilities looking for means to upgrade their distribution networks, the acceleration of Current's build-out is a clear win-win for consumers.'

Google, of course, is currently engaged in a battle for market share with

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the two other major search providers, Yahoo! and Microsoft. And as well as initiating a raft of beta services - Google Earth goes 3D for search and mapping, Google betas video search, and Google goes small scale for mobile phones, for example - it is also cash rich following its successful floatation as a public company back in September 2004.

Broadband over power lines - and more generally, the idea of using power lines for audio, video and data networking - has been on the horizon for a long time now, but may be moving closer.

In June the Japanese CE giants threw their weight behind a new co-ordinated initiative, and back in April 2005 we reported The EC backs broadband over the electricity grid.

It urged EU nations to come up with 'clear and balanced' regulations that will create competition and attract companies to the field. Member states were also urged to remove any 'unjustified regulatory obstacles' that could impede development of the market and ensure energy companies get a fair crack at offering such services over the power line network.

There are some 200mn power lines running directly into houses, schools and businesses across the EU. With such a far-reaching network already established, power lines should be the ideal infrastructure to ensure even the most far-flung household has access to broadband. Not only is the power grid an efficient way of delivering broadband to homes, but it in turn means the wiring internal to a home can be used as a home network.