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Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) Selects SmartSynch/AT&T Solution for 10,000 Unit Point-to-Point SmartMeter(TM) Trial Deployment Throughout Texas Market

Posted on: Thursday, 16 April 2009, 08:00 CDT

Decision spurred by successful performance of smart grid pilots in five geographically diverse Texas locations during past 14 months

JACKSON, Miss., April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartSynch, Inc., a Smart Grid infrastructure company utilizing standard IP communications via public wireless networks, announced today that Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) has selected the SmartSynch/AT&T SmartMeter(TM) solution for a 10,000 unit point-to-point trial deployment to residential customers throughout the utility's Texas market. This makes TNMP the first utility to capitalize on SmartSynch's recently announced alliance with AT&T to bring smart grid technology to the home.

TNMP's decision was spurred by the successful performance of five SmartSynch system pilots deployed during the last 14 months in Clifton, Lewisville, Texas City, Dickinson and Brazoria, Texas. The pilots supported the collection of billing reads, remote service connect/disconnect capabilities and real-time event alarm notification. The SmartSynch solution was utilized to perform the first in-production remote move-in / move-out service requests in the state of Texas.

This latest 10,000 SmartSynch SmartMeter(TM) trial deployment will enable TNMP to monitor and trend customer usage data in 15 minute intervals, expand capabilities to support energy management, and provide a Home Area Network communications gateway enabling Retail Energy Providers to manage demand response and energy efficiency activities, and their end-use customers to monitor and regulate their electricity usage via the internet and in-home devices. SmartSynch's technology will also help TNMP provide faster and safer response to customer service requests and power outages, while reducing its meter reading and work order costs. TNMP also will reduce its overall carbon footprint, since fewer truck rolls means less gasoline purchased and consumed.

"We are delighted to have an innovative and responsive company like SmartSynch serving as our smart grid infrastructure partner for this landmark trial," said Neal Walker, vice president, Texas Operations for TNMP. "With these units serving as our smart grid foundation in Texas, SmartSynch's secure IP-based solutions offer flexibility to support today's smart grid needs, and tomorrow's opportunities." Walker said SmartSynch's new alliance with AT&T will help enable TNMP to strategically deploy the solutions quicker, easier and wherever they can provide the greatest and most immediate benefits.

AT&T and SmartSynch recently unveiled a new alternative for electric utility companies looking to provide the benefits of smart grid technology to their residential customers. The two companies are for the first time providing utilities with a cost-effective option for leveraging smart grid technology to enable a point-to-point, IP-based configuration to serve these customers.

"TNMP understands the importance of deploying a smart grid infrastructure that can stand the test of time, and we are pleased that they view our solutions as the perfect fit for this important phase of their initiative," said Stephen Johnston, SmartSynch's Chief Executive Officer. "With TNMP's service territory ranging from dense suburban areas near Dallas and Houston to remote geographic locations in south, central and west Texas, the advantages of utilizing AT&T's wireless network are indisputable."

About SmartSynch

SmartSynch has been the only provider of standard, IP communicating end-to-end smart grid solutions utilizing public wireless networks for the utility industry since 2000. Our clean-tech innovations in the two-way delivery of real-time energy usage data over public wireless networks, in lieu of proprietary networks, have to-date simplified deployments for 100 major North American utilities, while enabling their clean-energy initiatives and delivering greater Returns on Resources.

As a smart grid infrastructure company, SmartSynch's IP-based solutions are capable of delivering grid intelligence to and from any device. Our products and services include SmartMeters(TM) and SmartBoxes(TM) that immediately IP-enable the grid, software solutions, and network management services for utilities and their customers, as well as clean-tech companies in need of remote communications and control functionality for products ranging from solar panels to plug-in hybrid vehicles.

IP-based public wireless networks enable utilities to strategically and rapidly deploy more secure and scalable smart grid solutions with minimal capital expenditures. IP networks and solutions may be remotely upgraded to interface with new technologies, since they are built upon open standards and leverage existing programs and tools. SmartSynch's IP-based Smart Grid communications infrastructure encourages rapid application innovation and delivery of new functionality by allowing the broadest spectrum of ecosystem participants to focus on providing maximum benefits to utilities and their customers.

About TNMP

TNMP, a subsidiary of PNM Resources, provides electrical transmission and distribution services to 76 cities and more than 230,000 customers throughout the state of Texas.

TNMP is owned by PNM Resources (NYSE: PNM), an energy holding company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 2007, TNMP's New Mexico operations merged with PNM. PNM is New Mexico's largest electricity utility, serving 485,000 electricity customers in about 100 communities.

Find out more about TNMP by visiting www.tnmp.com.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

SOURCE SmartSynch, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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