RALEIGH, NC - July 27, 2010
BT, the £20B UK telecoms operator, has announced that it is backing long-range radio and the Sensus FlexNet™ AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system for the UK’s smart metering initiative. After spending 18 months analyzing the various smart grid communications options available, BT has partnered with Arqiva, the UK communications infrastructure and media services company, and business and technology consultant, Detica, to offer a dedicated and secure long-range radio communications solution for the UK’s smart metering initiative.
Sensus and Arqiva have a partnership that enables Arqiva to implement a long range radio-based communications platform using the Sensus FlexNet™ system. FlexNet gives utilities a purpose-built network which operates over a dedicated, licensed radio spectrum. Unlike cellular and power line carrier options, FlexNet can provide nationwide coverage and dependable reception for all utility types, regardless of the location of smart meters or other infrastructure.
In its announcement, Olivia Garfield, BT Group Strategy Director, said that it is vital that any smart metering communications solution is designed for ubiquitous coverage of homes and is thoroughly secure and resilient. She went on to say that BT believes that long-range radio is the only technology to offer true nationwide coverage.
“BT’s selection of the Sensus-Arqiva team confirms that a dedicated, purpose-built network which the FlexNet solution provides is the preferred technology for such mission critical communications,” said Peter Mainz, President and CEO of Sensus. “The dedicated spectrum that FlexNet offers to utilities is free from interference with competing traffic, which we believe is non-negotiable for utility reliability and security.”
BT’s selection endorses long-range radio and FlexNet in particular, which, with nearly 8 million endpoints deployed, has been proven to meet the standards required for large scale smart metering initiatives. Because of the dedicated nature of the FlexNet spectrum, gas, water and electric utilities can run multiple applications, such as demand response, distribution automation and SCADA with clarity, each over a dedicated channel that is free from other types of communications traffic, making FlexNet preferable to public wireless, cellular and power line carrier approaches.
About Sensus
Sensus leads in innovative and evolving technology solutions that enable intelligent use and conservation of critical energy and water resources. Sensus has led the discovery, development, and implementation of technologies for the energy and water industries for more than a century. Water, gas, and electric utility customers around the world benefit from the company’s open, flexible products and solutions to help them optimize their resources – today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., USA, Sensus serves customers from locations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.
FlexNet™ is a trademark of Sensus.
About Sensus Metering Systems
The Sensus Metering Systems companies are leading world-class providers of water, gas, heat and electric meters including comprehensive metering communications system solutions that comprise both automatic meter reading (“AMR”) and advanced metering infrastructure (“AMI”) systems. Additional linked businesses include Smith-Blair, Inc. a leading provider of pipe clamp & coupling products for the water, gas, and industrial markets; and Sensus Precision Die Casting a producer of complex, high quality die castings.
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