ATLANTA, Oct. 14, 2003 -- About 16.5% of meters in North America will be equipped with an automated meter reading (AMR) device by the close of the 2003 calendar year, according to new research from Chartwell Inc.
In fact, about 36% of meters are expected to have AMR in place by 2008, a number that could rise to as high as 43% if the market sees strong growth, according to the newly released Chartwell AMR Report 2003, 8th Ed.
The levels of AMR system sophistication vary, but it is clear that more utilities continue to add AMR units to their meter population in an effort to meet their respective business cases, states the report. This is a trend that will continue to rise, as well, perhaps even at greater rates than seen in the economic slump of the past three years, states the report.
About 95% of utilities are at least considering deploying AMR technology, according to Chartwell's survey of 100 utilities regarding their AMR plans in June and July 2003.
Industry leader Itron Inc. is helping to push market growth. The Spokane, Wash.-based vendor increased its share in 2003, according to Chartwell's updated database of more than 400 installations. Marketshare for Itron and other leading vendors is available in the Chartwell AMR Report 2003.
Chartwell's survey of 100 utilities also found that about 52% of utilities use or are looking to use AMR to decrease the cost of reading highly transient residences, a dramatic 20% rise from a year ago. In addition, the Chartwell AMR Report 2003 features detailed information regarding AMR costs, various factors impacting AMR business cases and analysis of the "hot" AMR technologies.
The 268-page Chartwell AMR Report 8th Ed. has eight chapters of in-depth analysis of the AMR industry, as well as the responses from all 100 utilities surveyed in June and July 2003.
The Chartwell AMR Report is part of The Chartwell AMR Research Series. In addition to the 2003 AMR Report and Chartwell's past annual AMR reports, the Series includes monthly issue- and news-oriented reports and case studies on trends and technologies in the AMR industry.
Membership in The Chartwell AMR Research Series is available. For more information, contact Juli Collins at 800.432.5879 or [email protected] .
