[1st-mile-nm] Smart Meters to use AT&T Wireless Network

[Richard Lowenberg]

Utility’s smart meter uses AT&T network.

US company, Texas New Mexico Power Co. plans to cover its service  
territory with smart meters that will transfer data over AT&T Inc.’s  
wireless network, which will drive the smart-grid market to use common  
carriers.

The proposed plan would be the largest rollout by a major US utility  
to rely on a wireless network. Previously, smart meter projects have  
relied on proprietary communications networks built by utilities or  
their contractors that use radio frequency equipment mounted on power  
poles. Those systems collect and transfer meter readings competently  
but add to capital costs that are then paid by ratepayers.

Common carriers could be competitive as they reduce their wireless  
network charges. AT&T is charging about $1 a meter a month for its  
services to TNMP, versus a quoted price of several dollars as recently  
as a year ago. TNMP, a unit of PNM Resources Inc, of Albuquerque,  
N.M., intends to deploy 231,000 meters for all its business and  
residential customers in Texas over the next five years.

www.buddeblog.com.au/news-and-views/utilitys-smart-meter-uses-att-network/







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