AT&T targets utilities with wholesale smart grid
AT&T has partnered with SmartSynch to develop a wholesale solution for utilities companies looking to roll out smart meters for their customers.
The new partnership will combined a new suite of service plans designed for machine-to-machine communications from AT&T and SmartSynch’s smart grid solution, which is already deployed at by more than 100 utilities in North America.
“Utilities throughout the U.S. face tremendous challenges to increase renewable energy sources and efficiency, as well as manage new applications, which place new complexities on an already complex system,” said Chris Hill, vice president, mobility product management, AT&T Business Solutions. “To meet these changing demands in support of the recent economic stimulus bill, AT&T and SmartSynch are offering this new solution to help the industry migrate to smart grids.”
According to the companies, smart grids combine ‘smart meters’, wireless technology, sensors and software. The new solution offers a cost-effective point-to-point configuration model in which each meter communications directly with the utility over the AT&T wireless network.
According to this report from Greentech Media, a number of utilities have already deployed smart grid services in the US, mostly in association with smart grid solutions provider. Some are already using AT&T’s network while at least one is working with Verizon Wireless.
The new partnership will give utilities looking for a smart grid solution a one-stop shop.
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- Interview: Smart Meters with ABI Research's Sam Lucero
- Challenges for 'smart grids', or just plain grids?
Category: Applications, Broadband, Global energy, Green ICT, Mobile
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