Ericsson measures energy consumption with GSM technique

Ericsson measures energy consumption with GSM technique, saving money for consumers Ericsson has signed a contract with Enermet concerning an order of the GSM module, GM 12, to a value of USD 19 million (SEK 160 million). The GSM module makes it possible for the consumer to read off the energy consumption in a new way. The co-operation between Ericsson and Enermet means that the consumer is in much better control of the energy costs and can act faster when changes occur. With the help of Ericsson's new GSM module GM 12 and Enermet's software for energy measurement, the whole measurement procedure regarding energy consumption is changed and the energy consumption can be measured digitally. Sweden is one of the most deregulated energy markets in the world, nevertheless, Sweden's different energy distributors still measure the energy consumption manually once a year. The invoices the consumers receive in the time between are based on estimates of the consumption. The actual consumption is not presented until the yearly measurement. With the new technique, the consumption does not have to be estimated any longer. There is no need for manual reading since the GSM module communicates the electricity figures wherever they are wanted. In the near future the electricity figures can also be communicated to a web page, on the Internet, where the consumer easily can read off the consumption and also compare the costs between different energy companies. The order is a real break through for Ericsson when it comes to mobile data in the GSM system and the so called machine-to-machine communication. It is also a break through within the area of home communication. "Through changed conditions in the deregulated market, conditions are created for using this technique," said Bengt Sundling, President of Enermet. "By choosing Ericsson as distributor we got a shorter way into the advances of technology. The Swedish market for the services within this area are estimated to between SEK 3 and 5 billion." "Ericsson's quickness was decisive. Already a month after our first contact we have development going and the contract is signed. We are also looking forward to other coming applications, which can be used in the future," continued Bengt Sundling. Since the GSM module is in place, other services for the home can be applied. The equipment has two further entrances, which can be used for e.g. fire- and burglar alarm. The module can then send the SMS message to the house owner, the fire squad or the police. "This is one of several examples of what we, within Ericsson, call e- services. E-services is that different services and units in the home can be directed, and are activated with the help of, for example, the mobile phone," said Lars Hallström, Marketing Director for Public Safety and Industry Services within Ericsson Sweden. A further advantage is to use existing GSM infrastructure for data transmission during low traffic. This creates more value and increased revenues for operators. The new technique also means environmental savings. "Through increased knowledge of the actual energy consumption, more possibilities of savings are offered when every saved kWh contributes to both cost- and environmental improvements," said Bengt Sundling. Enermet has a bit more than 50 percent of the Swedish market regarding energy measurement and management systems for reading off energy. To introduce this service, there is no investment for the consumer. The energy companies will, because of the deregulation which is going on in Sweden, have the responsibility of making it easier for the consumer to choose and change distributor, and to read off the consumption with a regularity which by far exceeds the demands of today. The contract between Ericsson and Enermet has a value of approximately SEK 160 million. Ericsson and Enermet estimate the time of deliverance of the new service to energy distributors to be in August this year. Ericsson is the leading provider in the new telecoms world, with communications solutions that combine telecom and datacom technologies with freedom of mobility for the user. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for its customers - network operators, service providers, enterprises and consumers - the world over. Please visit Ericsson's Press Room at: http://www.ericsson.se/pressroom FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Bengt Sundling, President of Enermet Phone: +46-8-514 309 10, +46-70-592 91 59 E-mail: bengt.sundling@enermet.se Lars Hallström, Marketing Director for Public Safety and Industry Services, Ericsson Sweden Phone: +46-8-579 18359, +46-70-518 6302 E-mail: lars.hallstrom@ese.ericsson.se Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Communications Director, Ericsson Sweden Phone: +46-8-579 18018, +46-70-519 16 98 E-mail: josephine.edwall@etx.ericsson.se Jan Ahrenbring, Marketing- and Communications Director, Ericsson Mobile Communications Phone: +46-8-764 14 60, +46-70 590 9900 E-mail: jan.ahrenbring@ecs.ericsson.se Company Information Enermet is a Finnish company specialised in energy measurement and management systems for reading off energy. The company manufactures and markets electricity meters, as well as measurement- and control systems. Enermet is market leader within its area in Scandinavia. The company's turn over 1998 was FIM 500 million and the number of employed was 680. Enermet has companies in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, The Czech Republic, New Zealand and Australia. All together Enermet's solutions are available in more than 30 countries. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/03/16/19990316BIT00170/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/03/16/19990316BIT00170/bit0002.pdf