Vodafone to offer smart metering over German cable network

Vodafone Germany is to enable energy companies to deliver smart metering via its cable network – formerly Kabel Deutschland – making it the first German convergent network provider to offer such a service, according to the company.

Vodafone said the project would be particularly applicable to smart metering projects for the residential housing industry thanks to its cable arm’s strong relationship with the country’s housing associations.

The Kabel Deutschland network covers 15 million German homes, with fixed network infrastructure in the basement of apartments being available for connection to electricity meters relatively easily, said the company.

Vodafone already offers smart metering via its LTE network, which covers around 60 million people in Germany.

Vodafone has teamed up with Bosch Software Innovations, Fröschl and Schleupen, Dr Neuhaus, Landis & Gyr and Power Plus Communications for its smart metering project.