Wireless communication prospects with smart meter

According to the latest report, in the next few years, the global market for wireless communication modules for smart meters will double, from US$532 million in 2012 to US$1.3 billion in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 12%. .

The company's latest report (2013 latest report on smart meter wireless communication module - North America market analysis and forecast for 2020) points out that the annual revenue of North America (currently the main consumption area of ​​smart meter wireless communication module) will be from 2012 The $379 million steadily increased to $433.7 million in 2020. The European region has also made significant contributions in the global market because it has carried out many pilot-scale projects. In the UK, Denmark, and Ireland in particular, the market application of wireless communication modules looks bright. According to Global Data's report, by 2020, the above countries are expected to occupy more than half of the wireless communication module market in Europe.

Cellular and radio frequency (RF) communication modules are the two most critical technologies for smart metering to achieve two-way data transfer. Due to low cost, high bandwidth, and high performance, RF technology modules account for 85% of market share in North America. GlobalData

Ginni Hima Bindu, a consulting company's smart meter industry analyst, said: “The strength of the wireless communication module lies in its superior safety network. We expect the application of wireless communication modules in North America, the United Kingdom and Japan will increase significantly.”

However, despite the generally optimistic market expectations for wireless communication modules, the growth of the global market still faces some challenges. For the cellular communication module, the information range is a major bottleneck affecting its market share. Bindu said that for an indoor electronic meter, if the electronic meter, or other grid facilities, cannot move in time, GPRS

Technology can only provide 80%-85% coverage. In addition, utility companies must pay mobile operators high operating expenses. For example, in the United Kingdom, Baringa Partners predicts that even at off-peak times, the daily communication fee per household will reach US$7.4 at the frequency of one reading a day, and at peak times it will be even more. Although the cost of cellular services has dropped to $5 in North America, this price is still high compared to zero-cost RF mesh technology.