IBM announced that it will deliver a completely integrated, and scalable communications infrastructure, by integrating the design and development services with the core network technology from industry partners.
The company said that this new offering will allow utilities to transform their networks and make the transition from traditional to "smart" grids.
IBM has established partnerships that span core, backhaul and neighborhood area network requirements – both terrestrial and wireless.
These services are supported by partners ADVA Optical Networking, Alvarion, Ciena, Cisco, Itron North America, Juniper Networks, Landis & Gyr North America, Motorola, RuggedCom, Sensus and Trilliant.
As part of IBM’s Intelligent Utility Network (IUN) offering, IUN Communications Services offering leverages the company’s Integrated Communication Services organisation.
IUN Communications Services includes: assessment and development of a utility-wide smart grid communications strategy and plan; solution architecture and design of smart grid communications network infrastructure; and implementation planning, integration and deployment services.
IBM Energy & Utilities Industry general manager Guido Bartels said that the company was among the first companies to recognise the benefits of marrying information technology with the electricity grid.
"Given our experience with more then 150 smart grid projects around the world, we are now building on that leadership by providing the first comprehensive global communications services offering of its kind," Bartels said.
