6 August 2003 - The IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet standard was formally approved by the IEEE Standards Board on 12 June, 2003. Already there are a significant number of manufacturers producing Power Over Ethernet products, mostly based on the preliminary 802.3af standard. It is hoped that the approval of the standard will now give the green light for more manufacturers to get involved in the technology, and for Power Over Ethernet products to become the norm within the market place.

The potential of this technology has been quickly embraced by http://www.PowerOverEthernet.com. The website has been recently relaunched with a new look and new features, and hopes to help raise the stature of Power Over Ethernet. By becoming a portal for all things PoE, the site is working hard to promote the technology on a global scale.

The website’s regular newsletter reaches out to the global PoE community. Already carrrying the latest news, articles, product information, events details, and with a large links section, the website now wants to get even more people involved in its work. They want to get more manufacturers and retailers to work alongside them in order to provide the most comprehensive and condensed source of PoE news on the Web. By submitting their information straight to the website, PoE manufacturers optimise the potential for free promotion of their products, and the quality of the information that PowerOverEthernet.com can provide its users.

Power Over Ethernet technology allows IP telephones, wireless LAN Access Points and other appliances to receive power as well as data over existing LAN cabling, without needing to modify the existing Ethernet infrastructure. The technology simplifies installation and saves space as only one set of wires is required for your appliance. With no mains voltage anywhere, there is no need to pay for an expensive electrician, or delay your installation to meet the electrician's schedule – saving you time and money.