Provider of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), Texas Metering & Device Company (TMD) and designer of high-performance antennas, The Antenna Company together brings a robust solution for improved wireless connectivity of off-network smart meters for electric utilities.
The partnership combines TMD’s AMI expertise and industry knowledge with The Antenna Company’s innovative high-efficiency LTE antennas (AC94541-01) and RF Coupler solution (AC20424-01). Together, they aim to solve the connectivity problem of off-network utility smart meter retrofit kit.
“As utilities increasingly enforce 100% meter read rates, the demand for reliable utility smart meter wireless connectivity continues to rise. TMD and The Antenna Company have combined their strengths to deliver a proven wireless range extension retrofit solution for the smart meter market,” stated Steve Swenke, President of TMD.
This solution aims to improve meter read rates for cellular 4G LTE/P-LTE, including Anterix 900MHz spectrum, and short-range/mesh networking connectivity, thereby reducing the need for manual meter reads. The kit is designed to provide a fast return on investment by eliminating the high costs associated with truck rolls for manual meter reading. Additionally, TMD offers comprehensive technical support to ensure the successful implementation of the smart meter wireless range-extension solution. This new retrofit kit provides utility companies with an efficient and cost-effective way to enhance their metering infrastructure.
Norm Smith, Vice President of Sales for The Antenna Company added, “We are delighted to partner with TMD as our integration expert and distributor for the US utility smart meter market. Today’s joint announcement by TMD and The Antenna Company marks a strategic alignment and immediate availability of this retrofit solution that will drive a much-needed improvement in smart meter remote-read rates.”
