For Ericsson, this is a breakthrough deal in the Finnish energy sector that underlines the company’s commitment to using ICT to meet the needs of the utilities industry.
To date, Landis+Gyr has delivered more than one million smart meters to multiple Finnish energy companies – the equivalent of delivering a smart meter to every third Finnish household in a country with approximately 3.2 million metering points.
Ericsson will provide smart meter reading as a service for more than 700,000 of these meters, starting from October 1, 2014.
As part of the contract, 13 Landis+Gyr employees based in Jyväskylä, Finland, will join Ericsson from the same date. Landis+Gyr remains responsible for the relationship with its customers.
Landis+Gyr Finland managing director Ari Tolonen said: "This cooperation ensures strong expertise and resources for the smart metering services market in Finland. Ericsson has a long track record in delivering managed services, and a strong commitment to business development in the energy sector. Together we will be able to provide Landis+Gyr’s utility customers in Finland with an ever-evolving, future-proof services portfolio."
Ericsson Northern Europe and Central Asia head Charlotta Sund said: "The utility industry is one of the most connected in Finland as there is a smart meter for virtually every home in the country. With our expertise in connectivity and managed services and our strategic focus on the energy sector, we can support Landis+Gyr and its smart meter customers in making the best out of the opportunities that connectivity brings."
