BGlobal uses TV spectrum to pick up meter readings
SMART metering firm BGlobal has annnounced that it is to use part of the unused TV spectrum to take readings from its installed bank of meters.
The Blackburn-based company is working with Neul, which has developed a transmission using ‘white space’ on the spectrum used for analogue TV signals, which have now been phased out following the digital switchover.
The company described the move as “a major step forward in facilitating the rollout of smart meters across the whole of the UK” as transmissions can be picked up from around 1km away, thereby improving the viability of installing meters in remote areas that are currently poorly served by broadband or mobile networks.
BGlobal’s Aaron Forshaw said: “Through this innovative use of emerging technology, Bglobal is leading the way in pioneering the new ‘smart energy’ future.”
Paul Egan, vice-president of business development at Neul, said: “White space delivers a huge amount of much-needed new capacity to meet the current and future needs of the machine-to-machine (M2M) market.
“A new industry standard is needed to drive innovation and growth. By using Weightless – a simple protocol that is optimised for M2M applications, such as smart meters – we expect to see ‘white space’ M2M standards and network infrastructure in place by 2013, if not by the end of 2012. This will truly utilise the enormous potential of this technology.”
