Method and apparatus for communication utilizing electromagnetic waves and a power line

A waveguide system, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving signals that convey data;
• obtaining Direct Current (DC) power from an optical power converter and a telecommunication line of a telecommunications network, wherein the telecommunication line comprises a cable of twisted pair wires and an optical fiber, and wherein the DC power is utilized by at least a subset of components of the waveguide system;
• obtaining second energy by an inductive coupler with the telecommunication line, wherein an Alternating Current (AC) power signal is injected into the telecommunication line, and wherein the second energy is utilized by a transceiver to generate electromagnetic waves, wherein the transceiver is separate from the subset of components of the waveguide system;
• and
• transmitting the electromagnetic waves that convey the data, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a power line of a power grid without requiring an electrical return path.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a waveguide system, signals that convey data;
• obtaining, by the waveguide system, energy via laser light from a telecommunication line of a telecommunications network, wherein the telecommunication line comprises a fiber optic cable and twisted pair wires, and wherein the first energy is utilized by at least a subset of components of the waveguide system;
• obtaining, by the waveguide system, second energy via inductive coupling with the telecommunication line, wherein the second energy is utilized by a transceiver to generate electromagnetic waves, and wherein the transceiver is separate from the subset of components of the waveguide system;
• and
• transmitting, by the waveguide system, the electromagnetic waves that convey the data, wherein the electromagnetic waves propagate along a power line of a power grid without requiring an electrical return path.