In an effort to help utilities build a brighter future through the combination of electricity and wireless connectivity AT&T (News - Alert) is offering the utilities smart grid products along with AT&T wireless data services in a single package.

By enabling the utilities to track energy usage, the smart grid technology strives to drastically reduce energy wastage and eventually revitalize the aging electric industry. According to smarter utility leader AT&T, utility providers can really power up their operations through the combination of electricity and wireless connectivity.

To this end, AT&T has launched a new plan, under which the utilities will be provided with SmartSynch's suite of smart grid products along with AT&T’s wireless data services. For this combined service, the utilities will have to pay just a single bill, AT&T explained in a press release.

To make the plan more attractive, AT&T is also offering a pre-paid option, under which utility companies that have bought AT&T smart meters will be allowed to pre-pay up to 10 years of machine-to-machine (M2M) data usage on those meters.

“Prepayment of 10 years of data usage gives electricity providers assurance around their data costs. We're responding to the evolving needs of the utility industry by delivering a complete, affordable package of smart meters, software and cellular connectivity,” Vice President of Advanced Mobility Solutions at AT&T Business Solutions Chris Hill explained in a statement.

Armed with a combination of smart meters, wireless technology, sensors and software, utilities will be able to closely track power grids and cut back on energy use when the availability of electricity is stretched to its limit. By gaining insight into the pattern of their power consumption, the consumers will also be able to make more intelligent decisions about how they use energy.

It will be relevant to mention here that the smart grid collaboration between AT&T and SmartSynch dates back to 2009. According to AT&T, the two companies have successfully updated metering systems for a number of utility customers over the last few years. As a continuation of this relationship, SmartSynch has now licensed AT&T to sell its metering hardware and software directly to energy providers.

Texas-New Mexico Power first has been using the AT&T-SmartSynch solution since its launch. This Texas utility reported to have replaced 240,000 electric meters with the SmartSynch SmartMeters, connected over AT&T's wireless network.

President of Texas-New Mexico Power Neal Walker acknowledged that AT&T-SmartSynch solution allowed the company to launch a smart grid strategy quickly and cost-effectively. The joint solution saved the utility company a lot of investments for laying out its own communication network. By simply connecting its smart meters to AT&T’s reliable and secure network, the company could save a lot of dollars.

Recently, AT&T launched a new messaging package for the international travelers, offering more choice as well as more value for money.