Global partnership expands smart metering network

A partnership between Suez and Vodafone will expand smart metering network technology for water utilities resource management.

Seamless, integrated solution

The five-year deal will provide a cost-effective, vendor-agnostic, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) that will offer a 'seamless, integrated, high-performance solution'.

Patricia Villoslada, founder and CEO, Digital Solutions Suez, told media: "Together, we aim to deploy over two million Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) meters by 2030, starting in the UK and expanding to France, Italy, Spain, and New Zealand."

The solution is designed to overcome two of the major challenges that water companies face when looking to adopt AMI: The availability of low-power networks for smart meter connectivity, and the variety of hardware options. NB-IoT enables companies like Suez to have millions of objects connected, like smart meters and sensors - and monitor them in real-time.

Mitch Donnelly, managing director of SUEZ Digital Solutions UK, said: "SUEZ is the European leader in smart water metering thanks to its long-lasting expertise all along the value chain, from meters to data analytics. With this partnership, Wize technology, which has been successfully deployed for over 15 years thanks to its unrivalled performance, is now perfectly complemented by the arrival of NB-IoT."

He added: "This unique positioning is a major step forward in terms of flexibility and efficiency for our customers."

The technology

It combines Wize technology and NB-IoT to ensure comprehensive, high-performing coverage, irrespective of geographical characteristics and population density. resulting in an affordable and easy-to-deploy smart metering infrastructure.

The AMI will transmit data automatically to utility companies via NB-IoT network technology.

Increasing need for accurate and efficient monitoring

Smart monitoring and detection systems are becoming increasingly important. AMIs can help SUEZ, leader in digital and circular solutions in waste and water services, and Vodafone, the leading technology communications company in the UK, collect real-time data for accurate billing, leak detection, and demand management, improving water conservation and operational efficiency.

Gemma Barsby, head of IoT, Vodafone UK, said: "At Vodafone IoT we understand that there is not a one size fits all solution to smart metering deployment and work closely with the UK Water industry to find the right solutions for our customers.

She added: "By partnering with SUEZ, we have been able to develop a simple solution to deliver on their customer needs. By bringing together our market leading IoT Connectivity offering with extensive NB-IoT Coverage and Wize's compatible hardware, it makes it easier to ensure water companies can benefit from cutting-edge technology."