CalAmp (News - Alert) will supply the wireless routing hardware and network services for a wide-area advanced metering infrastructure for Tennessee's Bolivar Energy Authority .

CalAmp, which provides wireless products, services and solutions for smart grid applications, was chosen for this project by Elster, one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers.

The shipping for wireless router equipment for the BEA (News - Alert) AMI project has already begun and CalAmp anticipates the communications network will be completed in mid-2012. The company also expects follow-on expansion opportunities.

Serving more than 11,000 households and businesses, BEA is one of 155 power distributors for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). BEA will leverage Elster's EnergyAxis and Smart Meters to modernize its electric infrastructure and provide customers with clear pricing and usage information.

"Elster's EnergyAxis Smart Grid solution requires robust and responsive wireless data communications. CalAmp's Viper system meets that critical need with licensed and unlicensed radios, network design and frequency planning services, and wireless communications hardware to deliver secure data over a vast, remote service area," said Mike Zachan, general manager of CalAmp's Wireless Networks business. "Our total solution approach will help assure communications reliability and network access for Elster's two-way AMI network throughout the BEA service region."

Elaborating more on the project CalAmp says that its Viper SC 900 system will be the vital communications link between Elster's Gatekeeper AMI network concentrators and the core communications infrastructure.

The system will offer the speed and range required for secure data backhaul over the smart grid.

The CalAmp private wireless network will leverage a combination of unlicensed spectrum and licensed 900MHz spectrum that was secured by BEA through CalAmp.

CalAmp will supply radio hardware, network design and project management services for this contract.

Read a related article at TMCnet “CalAmp Partners With Syncom to Supply Communications Networks for Mexico's State-Owned Electric Utility.”

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