Landis+Gyr Helps Lead Wi-SUN Alliance's FAN Certification Program for Large Scale IoT Communication Networks

Product certification testing is set to begin later this year

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Oct 01, 2018, 09:15 ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr (SWISS: LAND.SW) announced its support for the Wi-SUN FAN Certification Program launched by the Wi-SUN Alliance earlier today. As a Promoter Member of the Wi-SUN Alliance that holds a Board of Directors position, Landis+Gyr joins other member companies in promoting the implementation of open, standards-based Field Area Network (FAN) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Utilities have utilized field area networks to provide coverage for communicating assets such as smart meters, sensors and automation devices across their service territory. With the growth in smart city applications, common standards for FAN connectivity will broaden the choices available for applications and devices able to join the network.

Wi-SUN's FAN Certification Program will provide compliance testing of network components and devices to a communications profile developed from applicable open standards and certify the product's ability to interoperate.

"Landis+Gyr strongly supports this certification effort for the future value it will add for utility grid modernization and IoT programs," said Marius Chilom, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Solutions for Landis+Gyr. "The better the interoperability, the more effective these networks will be for the next wave of smart grid and smart city applications."

"Certification ensures interoperability, which is key to the growth of IoT innovation," said Phil Beecher, President and CEO, Wi-SUN Alliance. "We are pleased to officially launch the FAN Certification Program and are excited for the first wave of FAN-certified products to be deployed into the market starting Q1 2019."

The certification program will ensure utilities, cities and service providers have access to adaptable, multi-service networks that will help ensure interoperability into the future. Other key benefits for network operators include:

Easier evaluation of new products, as behavior, performance and interoperability are well-defined.
More choice of products and vendors.
Encourages global development of standards-based products, reducing the risk and costly impact of stranded assets.

All Wi-SUN certified products are rigorously tested by a Wi-SUN appointed third-party test lab to ensure the devices work together effortlessly and securely for rapid time to market. Certified devices include a digital certificate to authenticate entry to a Wi-SUN FAN, significantly reducing vulnerability to cyber security threats. Under a separate agreement, Wi-SUN Alliance has appointed GlobalSign as the third-party supplier of digital certificates for the Wi-SUN FAN certification program.

About Landis+Gyr
Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector. Offering one of the broadest portfolios of products and services to address complex industry challenges, the company delivers comprehensive solutions for the foundation of a smarter grid, including smart metering, distribution network sensing and automation tools, load control, analytics and energy storage. Landis+Gyr operates in over 30 countries across five continents. With sales of approximately USD 1.7 billion, the company employs c. 6,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at www.landisgyr.com.

About the Wi-SUN Alliance
The Wi-SUN Alliance is a global non-profit member-based association made up of industry leading companies. Its mission is to drive the global proliferation of interoperable wireless solutions for use in smart cities, smart grids and other Internet of Things (IoT) applications using open global standards from organizations, such as IEEE802, IETF, TIA, TTC and ETSI. With more than 180 members worldwide, membership of the Wi-SUN Alliance is open to all industry stakeholders and includes silicon vendors, product vendors, services providers, utilities, universities, enterprises and municipalities and local government organizations.
For more information, please visit: www.wi-sun.org.

Wi-SUN Alliance and the Wi-SUN Alliance logo are trademarks of the Wi-SUN Alliance.

SOURCE Landis+Gyr