Vodafone Business is letting energy company Landis+Gyr bring its utility customers cellular IoT services through the L+G Gridstream Connect service.

Using Vodafone to connect assets should help manage energy better and support the safe integration of renewable energy sources into power grids, reducing carbon footprints. The partnership could open access to more than 400 networks in 180 countries using a single subscriber identity profile.

This means Landis+Gyr utility customers will have improved deployment speed and management of cellular smart grid devices. The partnership also delivers low-power wide-area (LPWA) technology capabilities, with the ability to transition seamlessly to 5G networks where and when these are available.

The partnership expands network options, simplifies integration of grid edge devices and accelerates digital transformation for utilities.

Landis+Gyr’s Gridstream Connect provides a secure service accessing multiple carrier networks without the hassle of managing multiple subscription contracts.

Building on IoT zero-touch capability, Landis+Gyr utility customers will benefit from improved deployment speed and management of cellular smart grid devices. Combined with a long-term services contract, it provides coverage to ensure longevity matching the lifecycle of utility assets.

“The partnership between Landis+Gyr and Vodafone Business, a global leader in IoT communications, will allow us to further elevate our offerings to meet the unique needs of our customers today and in the future,” said Werner Lieberherr, Landis+Gyr’s chief executive officer. “Together, we will be able to deliver longevity and quality of service to match utility asset lifecycles, creating the base for interactive smart grids with increasing intelligence embedded at the grid edge. This will enable our customers, energy consumers and entire communities to manage energy in a more informed way, making a positive impact on the environment.”

Landis+Gyr cellular offerings are designed to complement existing AMI networks or be deployed as primary networks to connect meters, sensors and IoT devices. With its managed services model, Landis+Gyr provides a turnkey service with the flexibility and IoT capabilities to support energy management and consumer engagement.

“IoT is key to the digitalisation of the utilities sector,” said Vinod Kumar, CEO of Vodafone Business. “Connecting assets will help manage energy better and support the safe integration of renewable energy sources into power grids, helping to reduce carbon footprints. We believe advances in cellular networking technology will enable more and more companies to be not only more resilient and future-ready, but also more sustainable.”

Landis+Gyr is a Switzerland-based global provider of integrated energy management for the utility sector. The company helps utilities solve their problems in smart metering, grid edge intelligence and smart infrastructure. With sales of $1.7bn, it employs 5800 people in over 30 countries across five continents.

Vodafone operates mobile and fixed networks in 22 countries and partners with mobile networks in 48 more. As of June 2020, it had over 300m mobile customers, more than 27m fixed broadband customers and over 22m TV customers.