Dive Summary:
- Final bids are expected from the SmartReach group, consisting of BT Group Plc, BAE Systems Detica, Arqiva Ltd. and Sensus, and the Silver Spring Networks and Vodafone joint venture as the two groups compete for an $18.1 billion smart meter project in the U.K.
- The project aims to install 53 million smart meters by 2019 in order to connect every U.K. home and business to the smart grid.
- Silver Spring is bringing its wireless mesh technology to the bidding war and the SmartReach group aims to provide its long-range radio-based technology as both groups seek to meet the U.K.'s smart grid needs.
From the article:
"... The Department of Energy and Climate Change, or DECC, expects to announce the winning bid in July after shortlisting four groups, a spokeswoman said by e-mail. The remaining two bids are from Airwave Solutions Ltd. and Telefonica SA. (TEF)
The program will cost 12.1 billion pounds and provide 18.6 billion pounds in 'benefits,' resulting in a 6.7 billion-pound net benefit to the U.K over the next 20 years, according to DECC. ..."