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Itron and Deutsche Telekom Ink Smart Metering Pact [Manufacturing Close - Up](Manufacturing Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Itron, Inc., a technology company, and Deutsche Telekom, an integrated telecommunications company, announced that they have signed an agreement to collaborate on delivering smart metering solutions to target markets in Europe. According to a release, this agreement brings two leading companies together in the smart grid and smart metering space to combine their technology expertise to better serve the utility industry. Under this agreement, the two companies will utilize Itron's innovative smart meter solutions, Deutsche Telekom's M2M capabilities, Information and Communication Technology solutions and Intelligent Networks Energy solution offering to bring a solution and service offering to European markets. This coupled with the strength of two large and experienced companies combining efforts to create more options for customers will result in tremendous opportunities for utilities. "Working with a world-class organization like Deutsche Telekom is a true pleasure," said Remy Brill, Itron vice president and managing director, EMEA Energy. "This collaboration will give our customers more options and will deliver real business benefits as they roll- out smart meter systems." Itron said it will embed Deutsche Telekom's SIM cards in its GPRS meters, which will enable the company to provide a complete solution and service offering in more markets, building off of Deutsche Telekom's communication network. The companies are dedicated to delivering the combined solution to European customers and have already committed to an initial quantity of SIM cards to be deployed. Furthermore, both parties agree to cooperate for purposes of creating as well as responding to joint business opportunities in the area of smart energy (smart metering, smart grid, and smart home) in European markets. Joint business development approaches and necessary technological alignment of the energy management portfolios between the parties ensure the most robust solutions for utilities. This coordinated approach brings flexibility to the complexity of smart metering solutions to customers, which is needed for mass smart metering roll-outs, the companies said. "The smart metering industry is demanding end-to-end solutions for intelligent energy networks. Together with Itron we can offer a complete M2M based solution from hardware to managed connectivity, integration, roll-out and operations services," said Jurgen Hase, head of Deutsche Telekom's M2M Competence Center. More information: www.itron.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |