AT&T partnership expands Digi footprint

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Quick Take: Earlier we explained why Digi International wants to the Windows of wireless. The company seeks to be the middleware that can talk to any kind of smart grid device, be it a thermostat, a meter, a home energy monitor and so on. The company's ambitious plans got a boost today with the announcement of a partnership with AT&T.

Digi will host its X-Grid Solutions on AT&T's wireless network. X-Grid Solutions extends Digi past the realm of mere connectivity, and adds bells and whistles that help with things such as demand response and home energy management.

For its part, AT&T takes another small step towards establishing its smart grid bona-fides. The firm wasn't smart enough and fast enough to get in on the first wave of smart meter installations. In fact, it made the kind of bonehead, bureaucratic decisions that get written up in business magazines as examples of what not to do. But the company is now trying to position itself as the go-to partner for the second wave. - By Jesse Berst

AT&T and Digi International have joined forces to deliver Digi X-Gridâ„¢ Solutions to home and business owners who want to shave their electricity consumption and monthly costs. The suite of products and services delivers connectivity over the AT&T network that gives consumers tools for real-time monitoring and management of their electric appliances and devices.

AT&T now provides two-way communications for over 13 million smart meters via its wireless network. In its collaboration with Digi, it can offer a variety of applications for those meters with Digi X-Grid Solutions, including:

·         Thermostats: Consumers can download Digi’s Energy DayTrader^TM mobile application at no charge as part of Digi X-Grid Solutions. Used with a Digi Gateway, they can monitor energy use and control thermostats remotely

·         Load control: When electric utilities notice major spikes in consumption, they can use Digi X-Grid Solutions’ load control features to relieve the strain on the grid. Customers who give their utility permission to remotely turn off discretionary devices like pool heaters can get credits and savings on their bills, and utilities can send power to where it's most needed.

·         Appliances: With Digi X-Grid Solutions’ smart plugs, customers can monitor and control how much electricity each appliance uses. The Digi Energy Daytrader application tracks all connected electric-powered devices, from lamps to refrigerators to air conditioning units, and provides automatic alerts when power consumption is higher than normal.

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