Power Line Communication - Generation Next: Vision and Disruptive Directions for Evolution

Power line communication has achieved technological maturity and significant market penetration. Nonetheless, its continued evolution is crucial to support new applications and drive further market penetration. This paper addresses the question "what next in PLC?". It provides a vision of possible, and less conventional, applications, as well as technology directions with high potential but not prone to challenges and risks. The reasoning and ideas presented may foster research endeavors in the fascinating domain of communication over power lines.