AT&T expands its smart grid leadership by making it easier for utilities and solution providers to develop cellular solutions with the development of a Cellular Communications Module (CCM) Reference Design with an integrated Prepay Energy management application. The CCM Reference Design addresses the demand for accelerated cellular adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in the utility industry, especially in the mid-market utilities in the United States.
The CCM Reference Design is a hardware and software reference design that can be customized to be used in a wide variety of devices and use cases in the utility industry. By setting a new standard for IoT solution design, AT&T makes it simple to benefit from:
- Broad coverage with AT&T LTE wireless network serving 300 million customers in the U.S.
- Open standards
- Application innovation through AT&T IoT Services using M2X and Flow Designer targeted towards solution developers for access to AT&T Network API's
- Solutions developed with reduced time to market investments
- Embedded Prepay Energy technology from PayGo®
- Convenient Prepay and bill payment options, including cash payments at retail locations, comprehensive messaging, as well as energy-efficiency programs
- Near real-time data capabilities that enable customers to monitor usage, and provide support for utilities with outage, restoration and other notifications, all while reducing operational costs
With the adoption of prepaid cellular now reaching 32 percent in the United States, customers have shown a willingness to use prepaid services. PrePay Energy management will allow consumers both convenience and energy savings of as high as 11 percent annually, according to a recent study.
"We're not just waiting for solution providers interested in developing IoT solutions to come to us with a device to certify—we're now able to help them design the entire solution, reducing their development time and cost," said Mike Troiano, vice president, Industrial Internet of Things, AT&T Mobility. "With the introduction of PayGo technology in our Cellular Communications Module Reference Design, we now offer a complete Prepay Energy management solution. Utilities can offer their customers more convenient options for payment while also helping their customers monitor their overall energy consumption."
"PayGo enhances consumer engagement and satisfaction, while delivering sustainable cost savings and control for utilities and their consumers. With the combination of AT&T's leadership and PayGo's technology solutions, consumers and utilities will both enjoy significant benefits for smart grid investments in the U.S.," said Jeffrey Weiser, CEO of PayGo.
This new smart grid application is backed by AT&T's world-class customer service and technical support. For more information on AT&T's IoT solutions visit att.com/IoT. AT&T's new Reference Design can be made available to Smartgrid developers or utilities through agreement with AT&T.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
