1

Quick Take: The article cited discusses the benefits of using cellular to connect smart meters. It cites only cellular proponents and does not include any arguments from "the other side."  That said, we think it contains a useful list of cellular's top selling points. Although we agree that falling prices will make cellular more appealing, we think several other issues have been of equal concern, including quality of service (can the utility jump to the front of the queue during disasters) and obsolescence (will the provider guarantee to continue supporting the meters for a decade or longer, even if it upgrades its network). - Jesse Berst

The article notes that using cellular was in the past simply too costly for widespread adoption by utilities. But it says a major increase in smart phone use, and the increase in cellular network build-out to accommodate it, is making the cellular option more affordable.

As a result, the number of utilities using cellular will increase. The author also points out recent developments to support that conclusion, such as Itron's acquisition of SmartSynch to enhance its cellular communications platforms, and Sprint's plans announced late last year to speed up deployment of its Network Vision, a program to deploy multimode base stations throughout the company's cellular sites.

The benefits of cellular are particularly attractive for smaller utilities that don't have the money, staff or expertise for private networks – or that have customers spread out over a wide geographic area, making RF mesh and other similar forms of communication unworkable. For those utilities' smart meter deployments, cellular is now a cost-effective option for their installations.

Also, utilities serving locations where hurricanes and other disasters can and do occur appear to be weighing cellular options because the big providers can get their networks back in operation while landlines are being repaired.

1

Jesse Berst is the founder and chief analyst of Smart Grid News.com, the industry's oldest and largest smart grid site. A frequent keynoter at industry events in the U.S. and abroad, he also serves on advisory committees for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Institute for Electric Efficiency. He often provides strategic consulting to large corporations and venture-backed startups. He is a member of the advisory boards of GridGlo and Calico Energy Services.

You might also be interested in ...

Itron Cellular Solutions (formerly SmartSynch) reels in another big win for cellular

Smart grid communications wars: Key companies add cellular support