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South Staffs Water and SmartReach in trial to connect hard to reach meters(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Trial of SmartReach's long-range radio communications solution for up to 1,000 smart water meters in Kinver SmartReach selected because of its "proven ability to communicate with meters in hard to reach locations" Builds on existing successful trials of SmartReach's communications solution for energy and water smart meters SmartReach, a collaboration of Arqiva, BT, BAE Systems Detica and Sensus, together with South Staffs Water, have announced a new trial to connect up to 1,000 smart water meters in Kinver, South Staffordshire. Many of these meters are in underground chambers, under metal lids, creating a challenge for most communications technologies. Smart water meters provide much greater visibility of the use of water by individual households. Reliable, continuously available smart meter data can help identify unusual consumption patterns that indicate leaks on people's property. It can also support improved management and reduction of leaks across the water network, as well as providing valuable data to optimise future network investments. Colin Wayper, Network Director, South Staffs Water, commented, "We selected the long-range radio communications solution from SmartReach because it is proven to connect to smart meters in the demanding British environment, even in locations where other communications technologies tend to suffer from patchy or unreliable coverage. The SmartReach solution also offers long term flexibility, with the potential to cover water networks as well as the metering of homes." Sean Weir, Programme Director, SmartReach added, "Smart water and energy metering has the potential to deliver billions of pounds worth of energy, water and operational efficiency savings for utilities and their customers. Achieving these benefits depends on proven, reliable smart metering communications technology. We've already demonstrated that our long-range radio solution connects to over 99% of energy and water smart meters with a single installation visit. We are looking forward to building on this success by delivering a highly reliable service for South Staffs Water and its customers." SmartReach's trials (http://smartreach.com/trials/home/) have proven the suitability of its solution to connect first time to smart meters wherever they are across Great Britain. The technology behind SmartReach has also been widely deployed in the US, with 15 million smart meter and grid end points using Sensus' long-range radio technology. About SmartReach Arqiva, BT, BAE Systems Detica and Sensus are working together to promote the SmartReach solution for Britain's smart meter and smart grid programme. The SmartReach solution is an end-to-end data communications network that will provide a dedicated, secure, resilient and universal route to supporting the Government's mandate for providing all homes and small premises with smart meters by 2020. www.smartreach.com About Arqiva Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media services company, operates at the heart of the broadcast, satellite and mobile communications markets. The company is at the forefront of network solutions and services in the digital world. Arqiva provides much of the infrastructure behind television, radio, satellite and wireless communications in the UK and has a significant presence in Ireland, mainland Europe and the USA. Customers include major broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, BSkyB and the independent radio groups, major telco providers including the UK's five mobile network operators, and the emergency services. www.arqiva.com About BT BT is one of the world's leading communications services companies, serving the needs of customers in the UK and in more than 170 countries worldwide. Our main activities are the provision of fixed telephony lines and calls, broadband, mobile and TV products and services as well as managed networked IT services. In the UK we are a leading communications services provider, selling products and services to consumers, small and medium sized enterprises and the public sector. We also sell wholesale products and services to communications providers in the UK and around the world. Globally, we supply managed networked IT services to multinational corporations, domestic businesses and national and local government organisations. www.bt.com About BAE Systems Detica BAE Systems Detica delivers information intelligence solutions to government and commercial customers. We help them collect, exploit and manage data so they can deliver critical business services more effectively and economically. We also develop solutions to strengthen national security and resilience. We integrate and deliver world-class solutions to our customers' most complex operational problems - often applying our own unique intellectual property. Our services include cyber security, managing risk and compliance, data analytics, systems integration and managed services, strategy and business change and the development of innovative software and hardware technologies. Detica is part of BAE Systems, a global defence, aerospace and security company with approximately 90,000 employees worldwide. BAE Systems delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. www.baesystemsdetica.com About Sensus Sensus is a leading utility infrastructure company offering smart meters, communication systems, software and services for the electric, gas, and water industries. Sensus technology helps utilities drive operational efficiency and customer engagement with applications that include advanced meter reading, data acquisition, demand response, distribution automation, home area networking and outdoor lighting control. Customers worldwide trust the innovation, quality and reliability of Sensus solutions for the intelligent use and conservation of energy and water. www.sensus.co.uk For further information contact: Rocket Communications Jo Ashford / Lawrie Benfield Tel: +44 (0)845 370 7024 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.com on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). (c) 2013 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |