AT&T (NYSE: T) today announced an agreement with Silver Spring Networks to deliver 3G wireless communication services to Silver Spring’s utility customers throughout the U.S.
The move is the latest expansion of AT&T’s efforts with smart grid technology in the M2M (machine to machine) communications space.
AT&T’s cellular data network will communicate smart grid information to the Silver Spring’s UtilityIQ back-office application suite.
AT&T said it has developed a suite of M2M pricing plans designed specifically for utilities in the smart grid market.
“This relationship exemplifies Silver Spring's commitment to bring the broadest ecosystem of companies to deliver an open, end-to-end and highly secure IP platform for the utility industry. 3G is capable of supporting portions of a smart grid implementation and we are pleased to team with AT&T,” said Judy Lin, chief product officer at Silver Spring.
AT&T already offers products and services to the utility industry, including wireless solutions for field service workers, outage detection and remote monitoring.
AT&T competitor Sprint (NYSE: S) in August announced its plans to provide communications services to the smart grid market.
Silver Spring Networks recently teamed with AEP (NYSE: AEP) and Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) for major smart grid projects in Ohio and Chicago.
In September, Silver Spring Networks acquired Greenbox Technology, a provider of web-based energy management software.
