AT&T and Elster Announce Agreement to Deliver Wireless Smart Grid Solutions to Utilities

DALLAS and RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* and Elster (NYSE: ELT), a global leader in advanced metering technology and Smart Grid solutions, today announced that they have signed a new agreement that will enable comprehensive end-to-end wireless solutions for utilities.

The combined offering enables utilities to integrate distribution area networking from AT&T's high speed, cellular data network with Elster's EnergyAxis® advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution. Utilities will now have access to an open and multi-technology smart grid platform that optimizes efficiency and reliability, while reducing the operational costs of having to manage proprietary networks. Based on open-standards and high security protocols, critical information on energy consumption and usage from the end-user is collected and managed in real time by Elster's EnergyAxis-enabled smart meters and two-way, standards-based communications network. This information is then aggregated and transported securely over AT&T's high speed networks.

"Momentum within smart grid has been picking up at a rapid pace for us," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "With this agreement with Elster, we are excited about the potential to expand our Smart Grid offerings beyond North America."

"Elster has strong history of working with utilities to create operational efficiencies and one of the main reasons for this success is our ability to seamlessly integrate our EnergyAxis solution into an existing IT infrastructure or geography," said Mark Munday, CEO of Elster Solutions. "With this new agreement with AT&T, Elster is expanding the industry's most comprehensive suite of Smart Grid solutions to meet the specific needs of our customers."

Using Elster's EnergyAxis Smart Grid technology, utilities across the globe are realizing operational improvements that translate into reduced energy costs, improved customer service and the conservation of environmental and economic resources. A field-proven, interoperable solution with more than 4.5 million endpoints and 80 complete systems deployed worldwide, Elster's EnergyAxis provides the full spectrum of critical components for Smart Grid success, including communications networking, meter data management and utility-specific applications.

AT&T's suite of M2M pricing plans designed specifically for the Smart Grid makes this solution an economical choice for utilities. In addition, AT&T offers a range of strategic mobility products and services to the utility industry, including wireless solutions for field service workers, outage detection and remote monitoring for automated metering infrastructure. AT&T's dedicated team of industry specialists understands the business process from end-to-end and translates technical solutions into meaningful business value for customers.

In a recent Current Analysis report, "Machine to Machine Services Market: Competition Heats Up," AT&T's strength in M2M implementation strategy and mobility services organization was highlighted. Analyst Kathryn Weldon wrote that AT&T "stands out as having one of the most comprehensive M2M services portfolio, with a strategy likely to succeed in the market."  

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz  to discover more about our small business services.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Elster

Elster (NYSE: ELT) is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers. Elster's offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Elster's products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.  

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

For more information about Elster, please visit www.elster.com.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.