2:05 PM Cisco is getting aggressive on the grid, potentially leaving telcos out of the equation

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

September 2, 2010

1 Min Read
Cisco Steals Smart Grid Show

2:05 PM -- Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) really wants to be central to the smart grid, and it's putting its money where its mouth is, with a new partnership and an acquisition. In the past two days, it has partnered with smart-meter vendor Itron and acquired IP-based wireless network provider Arch Rock Corp. (See Cisco, Itron Team for Smart Grid and Cisco to Buy Smart Grid Player.)

With Itron, Cisco wants to establish a reference-model IP communications platform for the grid and help utilities build their own wireless mesh networks based on a full IPv6 implementation, a goal that Arch Rock will aid. That's bad news for the telcos angling to be the public network provider of choice. Cisco's stance has always been a network-neutral one, but it will initially home in on 900MHz wireless mesh to build its "modern, more intelligent energy infrastructure."

Does that imply that telcos' public networks just aren't smart enough?

Some utilities think so, citing security, privacy, reliability, and latency as key concerns -- concerns the telcos are working to prove are overblown. Itron is also a partner with Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), which have both been exploring different angles to get at the grid. (See Mu Chief: Smart Grid Isn't and Can Utilities & Telecom Team on Smart Grid?)

Cisco has been talking big about the grid for awhile but has, so far, announced only a few products and partnerships. But, seeing as it considers the smart grid a $20 billion-per-year opportunity, this week's M&A is only the beginning. (See Cisco Takes Energy Management to the Home.)

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Reporter, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

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