HomePlug® Alliance and Wi-SUN® Alliance Collaborate to Improve Smart Grid Communications Interoperability

Key industry groups create liaison to facilitate standards-based interoperability for utilities’ smart grid networks.

Portland, Oregon, USA; Tokyo, Japan – March 17, 2014 – The Wi-SUN® Alliance and the HomePlug® Alliance today announced a liaison agreement to facilitate collaboration toward the goal of enabling hybrid smart grid networks supporting both wireless (RF) and powerline-wired connectivity (PLC). This relationship will empower the many industry-leading member companies of both alliances to share requirements and specifications for Media Access Control (MAC) and transport layer profiles to facilitate interoperability of Internet Protocol (IP) based smart grid applications.

“This agreement is a shining model of cooperation for industry alliances and standards groups with shared interests and member companies. Utilities and end-customers stand to gain from it,” said Phil Beecher, Wi-SUN Alliance Chairman. He added “Working together to foster products and applications that are interoperable across both wireless and powerline-wired networks, Wi-SUN and HomePlug will pave the way for hybrid connectivity for utility networks.”

“HomePlug’s Netricity™ certification program promotes the adoption of the new IEEE 1901.2 powerline communications standard, and is targeted for outside-the-home, smart grid networks. HomePlug is excited to collaborate with Wi-SUN to help the industry create a more complete connectivity solution for utility customers,” said Rob Ranck, HomePlug Alliance President.

[an error occurred while processing this directive] About the Wi-SUN® Alliance
The Wi-SUN® Alliance works to enable standards-based wireless Smart Utility Networks. These cost-effective, low-power products based on the IEEE 802.15.4g standard are the basis for making the world’s power grids smart. The Wi-SUN Alliance offers certifications for a wide range of consumer, enterprise and operator-specific products, helping manufacturers engineer truly interoperable products and future-proofing purchase decisions. Membership is open to all corporations. Additional information may be found at www.wi-sun.org.

About the HomePlug® Alliance
The HomePlug® Alliance is the leading industry group for powerline communications networking. Member companies work together to develop technology specifications, certification programs and marketing programs that promote technology adoption. With over 120 million devices in the market, HomePlug products are used worldwide by consumers and service providers to improve networking performance while expanding coverage and wireless mobility. Additional information can be found at www.homeplug.org.