(46){{U}}Homes could start been connected to the Internet through electrical outlets.{{/U}} (47) {{U}}In this way, consumers and business may find easier to make cheaper telephone calls under new rules that the Federal Communications Commission began preparing on Thursday.{{/U}} (48) {{U}}Taking together, the new rules could profoundly affect the architecture of the Internet and the services it provides.{{/U}} (49) They also have enormous implications for consumers, the telephone and energy industries, equipment manufacturers. Michael K. Powell, the F.C.C. chairman, and his two Republican colleagues on the five-member commission said that (50) {{U}}a 4-to-1 vote on Thursday to allow a small company providing computer-to-computer phone connections to operate in different rules from ordinary phone companies, would ultimately transform the telecommunications industry and the Internet.{{/U}} (51) {{U}}"This is a reflecting of the commission's commitment to bring tomorrow's technology to consumers today."{{/U}} said Mr. Powell. He added that (52) {{U}}the rules governing the new phone services sought to make them as wide available as email{{/U}} (53) {{U}}and possibly much less expensive than traditional phones, and given their lower regulatory costs. At the same time,{{/U}} (54) {{U}}once while the rules allowing delivery of the Internet through power lines are completed,{{/U}} (55) {{U}}companies could provide consumers with the ability to plug their modems directly into wall sockets, just like they do with a toaster, or a desk lamp.{{/U}}