Read the press release >>

Quick take: There's a fundamental shift in how utilities view communications. They are beginning to see it as a strategic asset for multiple purposes rather than a point solution aimed at a single problem. This is the "multi-service" approach espoused by Cisco . – Jesse Berst

 

In 2010, according to Pike Research, only 3% of global shipments of radio frequency-based communications nodes for distribution automation and/or AMI applications were based on fully standard technologies. This figure will increase to more than 70% by 2015 and to 85% by 2020, according to the market research firm.

 

What's driving the change? According to Pike, due to emerging smart grid concepts, utilities are viewing their communications networks as strategic assets and adopting standards-based technologies. Meanwhile, vendors are rushing to deliver standards-compliant or standards-capable solutions.

"The promise of standards-based, multi-purpose utility networks is finally arriving," says Pike's chief research director Bob Gohn. "While there is still room for innovative proprietary network elements, the momentum is clearly with standard IP-based wired and wireless technologies, whether provided by public carriers or on privately built networks."

 

Do you agree? Why or why not? Use the Talk Back comment form below to share your thoughts.

 

More on this topic…

Industry heavyweights drive adoption of wireless networking standard

New Cisco smart grid plan merits careful study by utilities and by Cisco rivals

 

From the SGN Research Marketplace…

Smart Grid Communications and Networking:  This one-stop reference available from Research and Markets covers the state-of-the-art theory, key strategies, protocols, applications, deployment aspects and experimental studies of smart grid communication and networking technologies. Click for details >>

 

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.

Next page: Read the press release >>

Talk Back to the Author

Leave a Comment

---

Got something to say about this article? Be the first to leave a comment!

---

Leave a Comment

New to this Blog? Need some help?

Email: [?] We will send you an email with an appproval link you must click for your comment to appear.
Full Real Name:	[?] Real comments need a real name.
Subject:	[?] Please provide a short subject for your comment.
Comment:[?] Do not post commercial/sales messages here. They will be deleted. Try: pr@smartgridnews.com PLEASE NOTE:  All HTML codes will be removed from your comment.
CAPTCHA Security Code The numbers (0) and (1) are not used. [?] Please type the characters you see into the box above.
Remember my name? (Uncheck to forget.)
You can not edit or delete your comment once it is posted. Please check for spelling now. Your IP Address is: 50.16.17.90