Rich Sanders from Zenner USA and Rémi Demerlé from Semtech share how satellite communication is a gamechanger for utility metering
In the rapidly evolving landscape of utility management, a groundbreaking technology is emerging that promises to transform how water consumption data is collected, particularly in remote and challenging environments. Recent innovations in water meter connectivity represent a significant leap forward in utility monitoring by leveraging long-range wireless technology and satellite connectivity.
The connectivity challenge in utility management
Utility companies have long grappled with significant data collection challenges. Traditional metering solutions rely on cellular networks, terrestrial FSK-based tower systems, drive-by collection methods, or manual readings—each method fraught with limitations.
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Infrastructure Report, water infrastructure in the United States loses about six billion gallons of treated drinking water daily, the equivalent of over 50 million sized Olympic pools, due to leaks and bursts in aging water infrastructure.
The economic and environmental costs of these limitations are staggering, costing utilities over $6.4 billion annually in the United States alone according to Bluefield Research. In developing countries, the situation is even more critical, with some estimates of non-revenue water—water produced but lost before reaching customers—as high as 60% of a utility’s total water production.
Moreover, in regions with only the ability to deploy limited infrastructure, obtaining accurate water consumption data remains a persistent challenge. Lack of monitoring not only leads to significant water waste but also impedes effective conservation strategies and sustainable water resource management.
The value of meter data: a utility’s strategic asset
Water meters have evolved from simple consumption tracking devices to sophisticated data collection tools that provide utilities with critical insights. The data collected is a veritable goldmine of operational intelligence, enabling utilities to:
- Curb water losses
- Detect leaks in real-time
- Identify theft-of-service or meter tampering
- Settle usage disputes with precision
- Monitor and enforce conservation compliance
- Right-size infrastructure and meters
- Perform comprehensive load studies
- Eliminate manual off-cycle meter reads
- Deliver detailed billing for premium customers
- Support advanced time-of-use billing programs
- Develop comprehensive resource and infrastructure master plans
Communication technologies: the evolving landscape
Traditional ground-based communication technologies have long dominated Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Cellular networks, Power Line Communication (PLC), and RF mesh have been the primary methods of data transmission. However, these technologies often struggle with significant limitations including latency issues, bandwidth constraints, high maintenance costs and limited coverage in remote areas.
Over the past decade, the rise of Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies like LoRaWAN and NB-IoT have begun to address some of these challenges, improving cost-efficiency and communication reliability. Yet, these solutions still face inherent limitations in certain deployment scenarios.
The satellite communication revolution
Satellite communication emerges as a game-changing solution, offering unique advantages that address fundamental challenges in utility data collection:
- Universal coverage: provides reliable data transmission across geographical barriers
- Low infrastructure footprint: eliminates the need for extensive ground-based communication networks
- Reduced operational expenses: minimises maintenance and manpower requirements
- Global scalability: supports large-scale deployments with consistent performance
Unlike ground-based technologies, satellite communication can effectively serve remote or hard-to-reach areas where traditional communication networks are prohibitively expensive to deploy or maintain.
Technological innovation: a comprehensive solution
New water meter innovations address these challenges through a sophisticated communication solution that combines multiple advanced technologies. At the core, they utilise a low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) communication protocol, specifically LoRaWAN, to transmit data over extensive distances with minimal energy consumption.
Comprehensive technical specifications:
- Communication protocol: LoRaWAN V1.0.4 (Class A)
- Frequency band: 915MHz
- Device classification: End Device/Sensor
- Activation methods:
- Over-the-air activation
- Personalisation options
- Adaptive data rate: fully supported
- Optional data rates: DR6, DR7
- Antenna type: fixed internal helical
- Output power range: 4µA-500mA
- Geographical compatibility: supports multiple regions including USA, Europe, and Australia
Advanced communication capabilities
The latest generation water meter solution distinguishes itself through several key technological features:
- Satellite direct transmission: unlike traditional meters, this solution can transmit data directly to satellite networks, eliminating dependence on ground-based cellular, or other proprietary terrestrial infrastructure
- Meter agnostic design: capable of interfacing with multiple meter types and protocols, including:
- Pulse registers
- Dual-pulse registers
- Encoded registers supporting various manufacturer protocols
Looking ahead: the future of water management
As climate change and urban growth increasingly strain water resources, the role of smart metering becomes critical. By transforming raw consumption data into actionable insights, these advanced technologies empower utilities to deliver more reliable, efficient, and sustainable services.
The technology represents more than an incremental improvement—it’s a fundamental reimagining of water resource management. By bridging technological gaps and providing unprecedented visibility into water consumption, this solution offers a critical tool for addressing global water challenges.
Industry implications and future outlook
This technology signifies a paradigm shift in utility data collection. By eliminating traditional connectivity barriers, it offers:
- Universal coverage across diverse geographical landscapes
- Reduced dependency on cellular networks
- Real-time, actionable insights
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Scalable solution for utilities of various sizes
As global water management becomes increasingly critical, technologies that provide comprehensive, efficient monitoring solutions will be paramount. This meter interface unit exemplifies the next generation of IoT-enabled utility management—smart, adaptable, and capable of operating in the most challenging environments.
The bottom line: connectivity is no longer a limitation but a strategic asset in resource management. Utilities can now access detailed, real-time data regardless of geographical constraints, marking a significant step towards more sustainable and intelligent water resource management.
Rich Sanders is President of Zenner USA. The Zenner/Minol group is a global company focused on meter production, meter reading and sub-metering products and services, serving customers in more than 122 countries.
Rémi Demerlé is the Alliance Partnerships and Marketing Director for the LoRa ecosystem at Semtech.Semtech is a provider of high-performance semiconductor, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and Cloud connectivity service solutions
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