Hams aren't getting (or asking for) any "special consideration". Only enforcement of what is spelled out in the FCCs OWN REGULATIONS. BPL systems are Part 15 "incidental radiators". As such they are NOT ALLOWED to cause interference to ANY licensed users of the spectrum. This includes SW broadcasters, public service comms, and amateur radio. They also must ACCEPT any interference they receive from licensed sources. In short, if a ham or CB station wipes out the entire BPL system, there isn't a THING that the BPL provider can legally do about it!
When BPL manufacturers were unable to meet the RF emission limits of Part 15, they started pushing to raise the acceptable limits!
"Hobby Radio", as you call it, is more important than yet another internet service, cellphone service, etc. simply because amateur radio is among the LAST bastions of non-commercial "public access" to the spectrum. Most of the rest has already been sold off or given away! Amateur radio provides an invaluable emergency communications system, which, unlike internet, cellphones, etc., is independent of centralized infrastructure. When hurricanes or other disasters hit, ham radio is still there, when cell towers and power lines are down for the count!
