Ambient urges collaboration in smart grids

Ambient’s technologies today run over Verizon Wireless’s cellular network, and the company entered into a joint marketing agreement with the carrier last year. Even as VZW’s markets the smart grid to its customers, however, Joyce said Ambient is also open to partnering with other telcos and IT companies like Google, Cisco and Microsoft, as they look to get a piece of the smart-grid opportunity.

Recently, AT&T has partnered with smart-meter provider SmartSynch and last week inked a deal with utility company Cooper Power Systems, while Qwest Communications partnered with Current Communications to sell smart grids to utilities. In general, Joyce said smart grids are a market that, by necessity, will be driven by many more partnerships and industry collaboration.

“Verizon obviously has a very wide network as they are advancing their technology, but there are going to be some utilities that prefer to work with other carriers,” Joyce said. “Just as we desire to work with more than one metering company, we look to work with more than one carrier. We see that as all complementary and important for the industry. Collaboration, especially at this stage, is very, very important.”