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Digital infrastructure helps identify leaks and outages in real-time

Utilities around the world are conserving water and saving electricity with the Sensus® FlexNet™ system—a two-way communications infrastructure that delivers the data utilities need to reliably and cost-effectively supply water and energy.

Sensus and BAI are bringing this technology to Australian utilities to improve operations, manage maintenance issues before they escalate, and meet changing market and customer expectations.

“FlexNet is a proven communications platform built for today’s digital utility,” said Jamie Longman, Sensus director of business development, smart water networks. “In addition to improving operational efficiency and conservation efforts, the technology will pave the way for Australian utilities to play a major role in the Internet of Things.”

The Sensus FlexNet system is a carrier-grade network that uses dedicated, secure spectrum ideal for digital utilities. The network architecture supports multiple applications including meter reading, pressure and temperature control and streetlight management using both electric and battery-powered field devices.

“The combined BAI and Sensus solution is designed specifically to realise the vision of Australian utilities to build a customer-focused utility for the future,” said Malcolm Keys, director of critical communications, BAI. “We will look to leverage both party’s core skills and strong track record in delivering reliable wireless networks.”

A trusted and proven communications technology, FlexNet is based on open standards and can support future capacity and reach requirements. It is inter-operable with multiple systems and endpoints for delivering data that helps utilities save time and money.

According to NICTA, Australian water utilities spend $1.4 billion per year on reactive repairs and maintenance. Focusing the asset maintenance efforts on preventative repairs has the potential to save the water industry $700 million per year.

Frequent natural disasters, including bushfires and floods, present a challenge for Australian utilities to maintain service levels and equipment readiness. BAI’s engineering and operational excellence will ensure the FlexNet system will operate seamlessly and self-sufficiently in all conditions.

“A stronger network will improve service delivery and consistency for customers and reduce maintenance costs for utilities,” said Keys.

Sensus has a long history of strong partnerships that benefit global utilities. In September 2013, Sensus, with its British partner Arqiva, a sister business to BAI through common ownership, was awarded a fifteen year contract by The British Government to provide automated meter communications services based on Sensus FlexNet Technology to more than 10 million homes in the North of England and Scotland.

About Sensus

Sensus helps a wide range of public service providers—from utilities to cities to industrial complexes and campuses—do more with their infrastructure to improve quality of life in their communities. We enable our customers to reach farther through the application of technology and data-driven insights that deliver efficiency and responsiveness. We partner with them to anticipate and respond to evolving business needs with innovation in sensing and communications technologies, data analytics and services. Learn more at sensus.com and follow @SensusGlobal on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About BAI

BAI is the parent company of a group of specialised businesses that design, build and operate complex communication networks around the globe.Group companies include: Broadcast Australia, owner and operator of one of the world’s most extensive terrestrial transmission networks, providing Australia’s radio and television broadcast services for 80 years, together with co-hosting and infrastructure services to the telecommunications and broadcasting industries; Hostworks, provider of broadcast quality live web streaming, plus supplying critical application management and hosting services to online, digital media, enterprise companies and government; RFE, BAI Canada and Transit Wireless, specialists for subway and confined space wireless communications; designing, building and operating cellular and Wi-Fi networks in the mass transit subways of Hong Kong, Toronto and New York; BAI Critical Communications, behind critical communications networks for emergency, public safety, utility and other private networks in Australia. –www.baigroup.com

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