ASM SpA Chooses MainNet's PLUS Solutions for US$7.5m Broadband Powerline (BPL) Communications Project in Northern Italy

MainNet Unveils its Intelligent Broadband Automated Meter Reading (Broadband AMR) System

26 Jun 2006

Raanana, Israel, June 26, 2006 - MainNet, a market leader in BPL/PLC solutions, today announced the launch of AmrPLUS™ - the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system capable of remote operation via an existing power grid - extending the company's advanced, end-to-end BPL product line.

The new AmrPLUS was selected by ASM SpA, the North Italian electric company (listed on the Milan Stock Exchange as “ASM”) for the largest multi-utility Broadband AMR project known to date, with a total value estimated at US$7.5m. Under the contract, iLight SpA (MainNet's partner in Italy) will support ASM in planning and implementing the system, using its vast experience in bringing Broadband AMR to a cost-effective operational solution. The ASM project introduces a new opportunity for public utility service providers in Italy.

AmrPLUS will be implemented within ASM's BPL-based network – already in the advanced deployment stage – and will span over the city of Brescia in the northern region of Italy, covering some 250,000 households. Installation, configuration and monitoring of the system will be facilitated by NmPLUS™ (MainNet's Network Management System - NMS), designed to operate with ASM's existing Billing and OSS systems.

The new network will provide ASM with the expansion flexibility to combine next-generation broadband Internet communication services with automated, multiple-utility meter reading.

ASM has chosen MainNet's customized Broadband AMR solution for its feature-rich, end-to-end system capabilities. “MainNet provided us with the most comprehensive solution, meeting all our needs for same-time meter reading and giving us powerful network control of our wide range of regional utilities including gas, district heating and electricity” commented Eng. Oreste Galasso, Executive Manager of ASM. He added, “The new AmrPLUS will enable up to progressively introduce our complete Digital Divide solution - including advanced communication services such as, broadband Internet access and Voice over IP (VoIP) - at economically competitive prices.”

“ASM is a well-established, listed utility service provider in Italy. We are pleased to be part of their expansion plans into next-generation Broadband powerline communications,” said Amit Yudan, VP Marketing of MainNet Communications. “Our launch of AmrPLUS will now enable utility service providers to use BPL for core utility applications (such as, AMR and Smart Grid) to enhance operational efficiency, and in addition, to increase revenues and customer satisfaction by providing intelligent broadband Internet services over the existing electrical grid“.

Filed: Jun 2006, AMR, Press, Co: Main.net, Tech: None