The push to modernize grid edge intelligence is shifting from simple hardware deployment to the complex management of massive, interconnected device fleets. Thales and Landis+Gyr have announced a strategic collaboration designed to provide secure, scalable cellular connectivity for smart meter deployments across North America. By integrating Thales’ eSIM technology and IoT connectivity management with Landis+Gyr’s energy management platforms, the partnership aims to simplify the remote management of smart meter lifecycles. This move addresses a critical bottleneck in utility digital transformation: the need to manage millions of devices without the prohibitive costs of physical hardware replacements or manual field interventions as network environments evolve.
Thales eSIM Integration for Landis+Gyr Platforms
The collaboration centers on deploying Thales’ latest generation of eSIM technology to support the increasing demand for cellular IoT within utility infrastructures. This technology is compliant with the GSMA's SGP.32 specification, which allows utilities to provision, change, or manage network profiles over the air. By enabling remote connectivity management, the solution seeks to reduce the industry's reliance on physical SIM card replacements, which historically required costly on-site technician visits.
To provide a centralized operational view, the solution incorporates Simetric’s “single pane of glass” platform. This allows utilities to monitor, manage, and orchestrate their entire fleet of connected assets from a unified interface. The integration is intended to support both SIM- and eSIM-enabled devices, providing a consistent view of network operations regardless of the specific hardware technology deployed. Landis+Gyr intends to incorporate these capabilities into its Revelo® and Surent® platforms. This integration is positioned to help utilities adapt connectivity over time, allowing them to switch or adjust network approaches as technological requirements change without needing to swap out existing physical meter hardware in the field.
Scaling Connectivity for North American Grid Expansion
The timing of this collaboration aligns with significant projected growth in the North American smart metering market. According to data from Berg Insight, the installed base of smart electricity meters in North America is expected to grow from 152.4 million in 2024 to 180.9 million by 2030. As these deployments scale into the hundreds of millions, the operational complexity of maintaining reliable communication links becomes a primary concern for grid operators.
Landis+Gyr, which currently serves more than 2,000 utilities worldwide and manages over 180 million connected devices, is leveraging this partnership to address the "massive IoT" challenge. The ability to manage connectivity remotely for an individual meter or an entire fleet is being presented as a way to strengthen infrastructure resilience and maintain service continuity. For utilities, the strategic value lies in turning connectivity from a passive requirement into an active operational asset. By utilizing automated, real-time control, operators can ensure that the right meter remains connected to the optimal network throughout its entire operational lifecycle, mitigating the risks associated with changing cellular network conditions or sunsetting technologies.
Key Takeaways
- The partnership integrates Thales’ SGP.32-compliant eSIM technology into Landis+Gyr’s Revelo® and Surent® platforms to enable remote, over-the-air connectivity management.
- North American smart electricity meter installations are projected to increase from 152.4 million in 2024 to 180.9 million by 2030, according to Berg Insight.
- The solution utilizes Simetric’s “single pane of glass” platform to provide utilities with centralized monitoring and control over both SIM- and eSIM-enabled device fleets.
EnergyInsyte's Take
In our view, this collaboration signals a critical shift in how utilities must approach long-term asset management. As the North American grid moves toward a massive IoT model, the traditional "install and forget" approach to smart meters is becoming a liability. The projected growth to 180.9 million meters by 2030 means that even minor inefficiencies in connectivity management or a single required hardware swap could result in astronomical operational expenditures.
By prioritizing SGP.32-compliant eSIM technology, Thales and Landis+Gyr are attempting to decouple the physical meter from the underlying cellular network. This is a strategic move to future-proof utility investments, allowing operators to pivot between network providers or technologies via software rather than truck rolls. For C-suite executives, the value proposition here is not just about "connectivity," but about mitigating the long-term CapEx and OpEx risks inherent in deploying millions of long-lived, remote assets.
Questions & Answers
How does the SGP.32 specification impact long-term utility CapEx?
The SGP.32 specification enables remote, over-the-air provisioning and management of network profiles. For utilities, this means they can update or change cellular connectivity settings without performing physical hardware replacements, potentially reducing the need for large-scale capital expenditures related to device swaps as network technologies evolve.
What operational efficiencies does the "single pane of glass" approach offer?
By using the Simetric platform, utilities gain a unified view of their entire device fleet, including both SIM- and eSIM-enabled meters. This centralized orchestration allows for real-time monitoring and control, which is intended to reduce the frequency of manual field interventions and improve the ability to manage large-scale, massive IoT deployments.
What is the projected scale of the North American smart meter market through 2030?
According to Berg Insight, the installed base of smart electricity meters in North America is expected to grow from 152.4 million in 2024 to 180.9 million by 2030.
Which Landis+Gyr platforms will integrate this new connectivity capability?
The connectivity and management capabilities provided by the Thales collaboration are intended to become part of Landis+Gyr’s Revelo® and Surent® platforms.
Source: Thales
