Siemens Wireless-Enabled SmartSynch Power Meter Helps Energy Companies Reduce Costs and Improve Billing

Boca Raton, Fla. — April 6, 2006

Siemens Communications Inc. today announced the release of the Siemens® wireless module-enabled SmartSynch® Residential SmartMeter™, North America’s first residential advanced meter designed to function on Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) cellular networks. The high-performance electric meter transmits power status and usage data that could enable power companies to eliminate estimated bills, provide more frequent power information to its customers, and provide emerging enhanced services.

Resembling a traditional electric meter, the next-generation SmartMeter includes SmartSynch technologies and a Siemens GSM MC56 wireless module. The meter utilizes public wireless networks for communication between each SmartMeter and the SmartSynch Transaction Management System (TMS) software residing at a power company’s operations center. Working in close cooperation with SmartSynch Inc., Siemens optimized the Siemens MC56 for use in the SmartMeter. The triple band MC56 module operates using 850/1800/1900 MHz frequencies. 

Siemens produces a broad range of wireless modules designed to meet the requirements of applications used in the energy sector. When used in power meters, Siemens wireless modules allow for the reading of meters at any time, enabling power companies to implement and track variable price rates in line with changing seasons and customers' energy consumption habits. Additionally, the Siemens solution, by transmitting up to date customer data, can assist in making invoicing easier and more accurate.

“SmartSynch’s decision to leverage Siemens wireless modules underscores our reputation as a leading vendor for the energy industry,” said Peter Fowler, vice president of wireless modules at Siemens Communications Inc. “With the number of power companies implementing wireless technologies on the rise, a growing number of meter manufacturers are integrating Siemens modules into their products.”

Benefits of the SmartMeter include no single point of failure. Because each meter includes its own radio, it is capable of immediately reporting, updating, and billing at the end of a power outage in contrast to other systems that can take weeks to repair and return online. Additional powerful features include proactive notification of power outages, tampering, and power quality; remote programmability; and two-way wireless communication. Two-way capability enables power companies to request real-time customer service billing data on demand and offers consumers the potential to control “smart home” elements such as lights, heating, and cooling fixtures by calling home.

About SmartSynch

SmartSynch, a global leader in wireless technology based in Jackson, Mississippi, is the leading provider of advanced metering solutions for the energy and utility industries. 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. Nearly 50 major utilities throughout North America utilize SmartSynch technology to provide over 25,000 MW of energy and generate over $9 billion of revenue annually. For more information, visit www.smartsynch.com.

About Siemens
Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Founded nearly 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 460,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.

About Siemens Communications Inc.

Siemens Communications Inc. offers its customers a broad portfolio of communication products and services and is a leader in convergent technologies, products and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. The company’s portfolio ranges from devices for end users to complex network infrastructures and complementary services for enterprises, carriers and service providers. Siemens Communications Inc. is headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. For more information, visit www.usa.siemens.com/communications.

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