Days after news of Google's investment in power-line internet access, IBM announced a partnership with a Houston-based utility to develop broadband services to be delivered over electric power lines, reported the New York Times. CenterPoint Energy and IBM will open a technology center in Houston to test and demonstrate the technology for consumers and other utility providers. CenterPoint Energy will also set up a pilot program in about 220 Houston homes that will run through August.

By relying on special adapters that plug into wall outlets, the utilities do not need to send a worker to install equipment. Consumers can use the adapters in any room with an outlet. The service could be cheaply deployed in rural areas that phone and cable companies have not yet reached.