SmartSynch Introduces ANSI GPRS Residential Smart Meter
Groundbreaking platform to simplify residential deployments for utilities, and over time help reduce U.S. consumer reliance on foreign fuels
Jackson, MS — February 4, 2007
SmartSynch, a global leader in public wireless smart metering technology for the energy industry, announces the availability of the ANSI C12.19 residential smart meter featuring SmartSynch’s GSM/GPRS public wireless communications module embedded in a standard Itron CENTRON® single-phase electric meter.
The new CENTRON® GPRS SmartMeter™ utilizes public wireless networks to facilitate on-demand collection of time-of-use data for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and hard-to-read applications. As a result, this ‘next generation’ technology significantly reduces the need for utility personnel to physically access a residential property, and affords utilities the ability to offer more detailed and precise usage information to consumers. Consumers may then use this information to modify their power consumption accordingly, and save on their energy bill while reducing the overall peak demand during periods of high usage.
From an industry standpoint, the CENTRON® GPRS SmartMeter™ provides utilities with unique, simple and flexible deployment options for residential customers. Since the product utilizes existing public wireless networks, utilities may perform strategic installations absent the capital-intensive and geographically dependent build-outs or maintenance overhead required of private network solutions.Over the last seven years, SmartSynch has provided public wireless smart metering solutions for Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers to over 60 major North American utilities. Although SmartSynch has deployed the same GPRS technology in numerous proven C&I deployments, this is the first offering of its kind in the residential metering market.
“A growing number of utilities are pursuing the same smart metering benefits previously reserved for their largest C&I customers, within their entire residential customer base. SmartSynch’s new offering provides robust AMI functionality, while still enabling precision deployments for hard-to-read locations and other companion assets which cannot be economically read by private networks,” said SmartSynch CEO Stephen Johnston. “Why build and maintain a private network when all you need is a SmartMeter that will work on existing networks?”
The SmartSynch enabled CENTRON GPRS SmartMeter has been certified to comply with ANSI C12.1 and C12.20 requirements for all available Itron CENTRON type CS forms. Additionally, the SmartMeter is compliant not only to FCC (CFR) 47 Part 15 for “B” digital devices, but Parts 22 and 24 for GSM power class 4 operation as well. As part of GSM carrier certification, the SmartMeter was certified per CTIA guidelines to be compliant with PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) and Over the Air (OTA) performance requirements in both the 800MHz and 1900MHz bands. Finally, SmartSynch is pleased to announce that the SmartSynch CENTRON GPRS SmartMeter has passed Measurement Canada (MC) certification and is one of only three (3) under-the-glass smart meters certified on the AT&T GSM/GPRS network, all of which have been developed by SmartSynch.
 The SmartSynch CENTRON GPRS SmartMeter (pictured) provides more frequent access to usage data by leveraging existing public wireless networks and may be strategically deployed without requiring the capital-intensive and geographically dependent build-out or maintenance overhead of private network solutions.
About SmartSynch
Headquartered in Jackson, Miss., SmartSynch is the leading provider of wireless smart meters throughout North America – having sold more than 90,000 SmartMeters to more than 60 major utilities and distribution companies. SmartSynch’s core product, the SmartMeter™ System, facilitates real-time acquisition of critical usage and rate data from electricity meters via public wireless networks and the Internet. During the past six years, SmartSynch has deployed more smart meters with embedded public wireless communications than all other companies in North America combined, with over 35,000 Megawatts and over $15 billion of revenue serviced annually by SmartSynch technology. For more information, contact SmartSynch Media Relations at 601-209-1315, or visit www.smartsynch.com.
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| SmartSynch and SmartSynch logo are registered trademarks of SmartSynch, Inc. All other companies and products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. |
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