AT&T and SmartSynch, a smartgrid infrastructure company, have partnered to provide utilities with a cost-effective solution by combining a new suite of service plans from AT&T designed specifically for machine to machine communications with SmartSynch’s smart grid services.
According to AT&T, with this new service, electric utility companies will now be able to concentrate on efficient electricity delivery rather than being distracted by building, maintaining, expanding and upgrading a communications network. This new service offers a cost-effective point-to-point configuration model in which each meter communicates directly with the utility over the AT&T wireless network.
Smart grids combine smart meters, wireless technology, sensors and software, so that customers and utilities can better monitor energy use and cut back when the availability of electricity is stretched to its limit, said AT&T.
Key benefits of the point to point smart meter system to utility companies include: improved speed of deployment over traditional meshed networks; the simplicity of an open standard, IP-based network; the ability to communicate directly with each meter.
Chris Hill, vice president for mobility product management at AT&T Business Solutions, said: Utilities throughout the US 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. 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.
