Smart meters: AT&T makes move into Europe via partnership with Elster

Quick take: It's quite common for U.S. utilities to use RF mesh communications to gather meter data, then to use cellular or fiber-optic to backhaul it to the control center. Now AT&T wants to make this more common in Europe and other parts of the world, and has partnered with Elster as part of that push. In addition, AT&T hopes to convince utilities to use AT&T services in other areas, such as mobile work crews and outage management.- Jesse Berst

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AT&T and Elster have joined forces to provide comprehensive end-to-end wireless communications solutions for utilities. Their combined offering allows utilities to integrate distribution area networking from AT&T's high-speed cellular data network with Elster's Energy-Axis® advanced metering infrastructure solution. The results? Utility access to an open and versatile smart grid platform that maximizes reliability and efficiency, and reduces the costs of managing proprietary networks. End user energy consumption and usage information is collected and managed in real time by Elster's Energy-Axis-enabled smart meters and two-way, standards-based communications network. The information is then pulled together and transported securely over AT&T's high-speed networks. The agreement with Elster offers the

potential for AT&T to offer its products "beyond North America," according to Chris Hill, VP for Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions.

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