NEW ORLEANS, June 2, 2005 -- Advanced Metering Data Systems announced yesterday it secured 652 MAS (Multiple Address System) exclusive-use radio spectrum licenses in the May 2005 Federal Communications Commission spectrum auction, the second largest number of licenses across all bidders. In doing so, AMDS has reinforced its already strong position in the automatic meter reading (AMR) market as the nation's broadest network of dedicated wireless spectrum.
Commenting on the significance of the newly licensed spectrum for AMDS and its customers, president and founder H. Britton Sanderford Jr. stated, "This means that we now own exclusive-use spectrum for the entire United States except for four cities. Moreover, AMDS has the only AMR system that has been approved by the FCC to operate over a mass deployed network on exclusive-use spectrum under parts 24, 90 and 101 of FCC rules. We have also received a similar approval for operation in Canada, thus ensuring that our North American coverage is second to none in terms of dedicated, licensed operation," Sanderford concluded.
Marc Reed, Vice-president of Software & Systems for AMDS, added: "Securing this spectrum completes a critical component of our AMR system and strategy. It is the foundation of our network that allows us to offer unmatched system reliability and longevity to our customers. This exclusive-use spectrum provides a secure operating environment for our patented radio technology allowing it to achieve superior, unmatched reliability and extended system life."
Licensed spectrum is increasingly scarce and important to utilities contemplating long-term (i.e., 20-30 year) AMR deployments. Utilities already use FCC-licensed spectrum for their critical telemetry and control systems, but prior to AMDS' successful investment, this approach has been too costly for AMR systems to utilize. Investments in meters and related support systems have become increasingly significant, however, and once installed, utilities become reliant on the AMR technology to provide reliable meter readings for timely, accurate customer billing and customer service. AMDS licensed spectrum is protected by the FCC and access is guaranteed under law.
Advanced Metering Data Systems (www.amdswireless.com) is a utility meter monitoring and wireless connectivity company with headquarters in New Orleans. AMDS provides automatic meter reading technology and wireless monitoring services to electric, gas and water utilities using patented technology and a dedicated, FCC-licensed fixed wireless network.
###