Landis+Gyr and Vodafone are to deploy the Gridstream Connect cellular AMI system for Illinois utility MJM to provide a flexible platform for managing current and future grid technology needs.

Based in Carlinville, Illinois, MJM Electric Cooperative delivers energy to 9500 electric services spread across six counties. Gridstream features a turnkey LTE-M omni-carrier contract through Vodafone (www.vodafone.com) to ensure full coverage and ease of installation.

“We researched a number of options to upgrade our metering system and chose the Gridstream cellular network because of the coverage it provided across our service territory without sacrificing data access or other features,” said Chris Franzen, IT administrator at MJM Electric Cooperative.

In addition to providing detailed energy usage information to customers, the utility plans to use the system to enhance its outage management and notification systems and improve troubleshooting and response.

“Landis+Gyr’s cellular network is a cost-effective option for many utilities that can be deployed and managed with fewer resources, while still offering the same data capabilities of other networks,” said David Chris, senior director at Landis+Gyr.

The cellular AMI provides utilities with the same access to interval meter data as other Gridstream network options while offering access to multiple cellular carriers from a single SIM. This improves connectivity and resilience of the network even in remote and hard-to-reach locations.

MJM (mjmec.coop) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that provides electricity to more than 9500 meters and services 3400km of power lines in Macoupin, Jersey, Montgomery, Bond, Fayette, Greene and Madison counties

Swiss firm Landis+Gyr (www.landisgyr.com) is a provider of integrated energy management. With sales of $1.7bn in 2022, the company employs around 7800 people across five continents.