Vodafone has signed a services agreement to provide 4G connectivity for Britain’s smart meter network. The partnership between Vodafone and Data Communications Company (DCC) is an agreement for up to 15 years to build and operate 4G managed IoT connectivity for Britain’s smart meter network, which securely connects more than half of homes to energy suppliers and operators and is managed and run by DCC.
The IoT connectivity will use Vodafone’s 4G network. With 4G already reaching more the 99% of the UK population, an ambition of the partnership is for more homes and small businesses to be able to switch to a smart meter. They can then manage their energy usage better and reduce their bills, while playing their part in reducing the country’s overall energy consumption.
According to the Office of National Statistics, households are an emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 26% of total emissions in the UK. Smart meters are a key tool for helping customers to reduce their overall consumption or move it away from times of peak demand. The smart meter network today prevents the release of 1 million tonnes of carbon, an equivalent to planting a forest the size of Coventry every year. It would mean the UK needing one less nuclear power reactor in future.
Nick Gliddon, UK Business Director, Vodafone, says: “Today’s announcement underlines our commitment to helping the UK decarbonise. As a global leader in IoT, and with extensive experience in delivering reliable connectivity to the utilities industry in the UK, this agreement leverages the strengths of Vodafone. By helping DCC deliver on its strategy, we’re supporting the development, management, and optimisation of energy assets and so helping the UK work towards its net zero targets.”
Angus Flett, DCC CEO, says: “The smart meter network is a key part of the nation’s journey to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Even though there is still a long life and more capacity in the technology we are using today, we need to continuously look towards how our technology is fit for the future. 4G is a natural next step for our connectivity and is just one of a number of technical improvements the DCC is developing. This partnership with Vodafone is an important part of continuing the DCC’s mission to connect Britain so we can all lead smarter, greener lives.”
Vodafone’s technology will provide a new “wide area network”, a network of information of a large geographic area. This will connect DCC’s servers with its Long-Term Evolution Communication Hubs that are in Britain’s homes, which in turn connect to gas and electricity smart meters. Vodafone will provide the 4G LTE network, with connectivity management delivered by its IoT platform, supported by IT and business consulting services firm CGI who will be responsible for software development.
Mark Aston, Senior Vice President, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, CGI says: “CGI is delighted to work with both Vodafone and the DCC to develop the data collection and networks required to optimise the deployment of smart meters across Great Britain. With a sustainable future at the forefront of the global agenda, empowering consumers with accurate information on usage has never been more important.”
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