TORONTO -- Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) was selected as the prime integrator for the first phase of Hydro-Quebec smart metering pilot project, following a rigorous evaluation and selection process.

Hydro-Quebec, one of the largest electric utilities in North America, issued a request for proposal in February for the acquisition and installation of a MDMS solution in preparation for activities related to the remote meter reading project.

As part of this project, Ericsson will be responsible for implementation and integration of EnergyICT's Meter Data Management System, which will pull data from the meters and integrate it with back-end office systems. A pilot project will be deployed initially, in order to obtain the authorization for the broad deployment of smart meters, slated to begin early 2012.

Hydro-Quebec will draw on Ericsson's global experience in smart meter projects and from its personnel at its R&D and Services Centre in Montreal to gain the most value from the new system.

"Ericsson is delighted to have been selected for this important project and continue its long tradition of project implementation with Hydro-Quebec" said Mike Sisto, Ericsson's Vice-President Sales - Eastern Canada. "By providing utilities with up-to-the-minute data streams, smart metering systems can significantly improve operational efficiency."

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)