AT&T and GE Strengthen Alliance, Fuel Innovation with Smart Energy Solutions
Technology Leaders Work Together to
Bring New Opportunities to Energy Sector
DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2015 – AT&T* and GE are working together to create the next generation of smart energy solutions for the Industrial Internet of Things, helping to improve the way the energy industry works. The companies are jointly working on proof of concepts at the AT&T IoT Foundry in Plano, Texas.
“Our innovations are resulting in a host of new applications, from smart grid solutions to machine-to-machine communications,” said John Lavelle, vice president, GE Digital Energy. “By aligning GE’s leadership in secure wireless technology and utility software solutions with AT&T’s extensive connectivity, we’re propelling our shared vision for a more cohesive energy network. In short, we are connecting brilliant machines to the Industrial internet.”
Merging Technology and Hardware
Building on the companies’ global alliance agreement announced in 2013, many of GE’s machines and assets, such as locomotives, fleet, aircraft engines and, most recently, smart grid infrastructure, are connected through the AT&T global network. Now, combining advanced solutions from GE with the AT&T Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, utilities can seamlessly connect grid assets with critical software applications such as GE’s Grid IQTM Connect or GE’s Predix TM analytics engine. Together, AT&T and GE are simplifying asset connectivity for the grid.
“With its product and wireless technology leadership, GE is an ideal partner and, together, we’re creating a more energy-efficient planet,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, Internet of Things, AT&T Mobility. “This is a major step forward in connecting machines with wireless technology. With nearly 20 million devices connected to our network, we help provide dependable solutions that make energy management easier. By combining our technologies, we can improve reliability, drive energy efficiency, and reduce costs and emissions, while making customer service and response times better.”
GE and AT&T are putting ideas into action, testing several new technologies, including:
- An advanced meter solution that merges GE’s innovative smart meters and wireless solutions, including jointly developed communications hardware, with AT&T’s secure cellular technology. The solution is being piloted with two North American renewable energy customers.
- Intelligent lighting solutions that combine GE Lighting control systems and advance GE Wireless solutions. This combined solution will enable cities to remotely monitor and control lighting on public roadways. A web-based interface linked to the lighting controls allows municipalities to instantly identify usage and performance of street lights in specific locations.
GE and AT&T will look to market and sell these solutions to customers in 2015. Smart grid solutions will use GE’s Grid IQ SaaS platform to deliver system intelligence, GE Wireless solutions for asset connectivity, and the AT&T network for secure and seamless data transport – each working in tandem to enable easy integration of advanced applications.
“We are continuing to innovate, find new ways to work together and bring opportunities to the marketplace,” Penrose said. “We see our pilot projects as just a precursor for what’s to come.”
For more information on AT&T M2M solutions, visit: https://www.att.com/m2m.
For more information on GE Digital Energy solutions, visit: http://www.gedigitalenergy.com/.
*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) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage. We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
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Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere. Global coverage claim based on offering voice and data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in transmission and distribution solutions that manage and move power from the power plant to the consumer. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to delivering analytic tools to help manage the power grid, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit www.gedigitalenergy.com.
Follow GE’s Digital Energy business on Twitter @GEModernGrid, LinkedIn and on YouTube.
