2026 Event Schedule

As electric utilities modernize grid communications, advanced metering infrastructure is increasingly influenced by network architecture decisions. The emergence of utility-owned Private LTE networks reflects a strategic shift toward greater control, security, and operational resilience. At the same time, utilities must continue to support legacy meters, add new meters, work within multi-vendor environments, and address long-term regulatory requirements without introducing new forms of technology lock-in. 
 
This presentation examines an interoperability-driven approach to AMI that prioritizes network flexibility, architectural choice, and future adaptability. Rather than tying metering systems to a single carrier, protocol, or infrastructure model, interoperable AMI architectures allow utilities to operate across public cellular and Private LTE environments while maintaining consistent data flow and operational continuity. 
 
A key focus is the role of direct, standards-based connectivity in bridging legacy and next-generation metering assets. By decoupling meters from proprietary communications pathways, utilities can extend the useful life of existing deployments, mitigate the impact of network sunsets, and support phased transitions to Private LTE. 
 
The presentation also explores cloud-managed AMI platforms designed to operate without fixed infrastructure dependencies. These architectures support incremental scaling, hybrid communications models, and integration with diverse head-end and enterprise systems—aligning metering deployments with broader grid modernization initiatives. 

Throughout the session, interoperability is positioned as a strategic enabler: preserving choice, reducing risk, and allowing utilities to adapt as network technologies evolve. Practical deployment scenarios illustrate how utilities can maintain secure, reliable meter data while transitioning network strategies over time. 
 
The session concludes by framing interoperable AMI as foundational to resilient, future-ready utility networks, where flexibility, control, and long-term flexibility are engineered into the system from the start. 

Session Sponsored by TESCO Metering