Two years ago, AT&T announced AirGig, a system which would use the electricity grid to bring broadband Internet to all citizens. This was eagerly greeted as the most powerful broadband-over-powerline (BPL) experiment ever, though it subsequently emerged that the operator planned to place low cost millimeter wave antennas on powerlines, rather than transmit data across the lines directly. However, it seemed to represent a cost-effective way to extend coverage to almost every corner of the USA via the ubiquitous power grid, and potentially alter the economics of a future 5G roll-out too, while also supporting advanced utility applications. AirGig relies on a plastic antenna which can be installed on power lines, where a reasonably unobstructed line of sight can be…