The companies will collaborate on solutions that will transition smart metering technology into an open and interoperable enterprise-class network for utilities.
Specifically, they will develop a standards-based technology for full IPv6 implementation of field area communications to support smart metering, intelligent distribution automation and interfaces to the customer premise.
Itron and Cisco claim that such an approach will help ensure consistent and interoperable wired and wireless communications among the various components of the smart grid, enabling utilities to scale to meet the demands of increasingly empowered customers and highly distributed generation portfolios.
Itron will license and embed Cisco IP technology within its OpenWay meters, as well as distribute Cisco networking equipment and software as part of its smart meter deployments.
