CyanConnode, a leader in narrowband RF mesh networks for the Internet of Things (IoT) communications, has significantly contributed to India’s smart metering rollout, holding a 45 per cent market share in RF deployment. CyanConnode India has successfully completed numerous projects across the nation, currently managing an order book of approximately 6.6 million RF nodes. Ajoy Rajani, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of CyanConnode India, discusses the company’s achievements and their continuous efforts to enhance products and services for India’s evolving energy management needs.
India’s ambitious smart metering goals, which include reaching remote and challenging terrains, highlight the growing relevance of CyanConnode’s Omnimesh platform. The platform’s innovative Long-Range RF solution is designed to overcome geographical barriers, ensuring reliable connectivity across varied landscapes. Successful deployments in Shimla and recent testing of the long-range RF solution, compliant with smart communication standards, underscore CyanConnode’s commitment to addressing India’s diverse terrain challenges. The company is focused on advancing RF technology and collaborating closely with utilities to meet smart metering infrastructure needs nationwide.
RF-based communication solutions like CyanConnode’s Omnimesh platform are favoured in India for their reliability, cost efficiency, and adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs). However, given the complexity of India’s terrain, a composite approach is necessary. Technologies such as Cellular and PLC complement RF, ensuring comprehensive coverage across urban, rural, and remote areas. This multifaceted strategy leverages the strengths of each technology to provide a seamless, efficient, and robust smart metering infrastructure, accommodating India’s diverse geographical and infrastructural demands.
CyanConnode’s long-range RF module for smart meters is a significant advancement, particularly for rural and semi-urban areas where connectivity challenges prevail. The long-range RF solution, part of the Omnimesh platform, extends coverage up to 5-10 km per link, even in dense, hilly, or agricultural lands. This technology maintains high communication success rates, complies with smart communication standards, and is easy to deploy, making it critical for previously hard-to-reach areas. It enables robust, secure, and efficient communication over long distances, facilitating seamless data transmission between energy meters and head-end systems.
CyanConnode’s current order book stands at around 6.6 million nodes, reflecting extensive reach across 11 Indian states and 16 utilities. Recent significant orders include 10 lakh Omnimesh Modules for Nagpur, Maharashtra, and 2.65 lakh Omnimesh Modules for MVVNL, Uttar Pradesh. These orders underscore CyanConnode’s capability to deliver large-scale smart metering solutions, reinforcing their commitment to advancing India’s energy infrastructure with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective technology.
CyanConnode partners with AMISPs, public utilities, private utilities, and private sector AMISPs, each presenting unique demands. Despite these differences, CyanConnode aligns with its customers’ goals, adapting and delivering solutions effectively. The company engages with various partners in smart meter deployment projects, including MDM partners for data analytics, Cloud Service Providers for secure data storage, Meter OEMs for hardware, MCU Manufacturers for microcontroller units, System Integrators for seamless solution integration, Security Partners for cybersecurity, and Regulatory and Government Bodies for compliance.
Exclusive partnerships are based on the criticality of a partner’s function. Detailed planning across multiple levels and departments ensures cost efficiency, process optimization, and timely procurement and delivery of nodes. CyanConnode’s meticulous approach allows for successful smart meter deployment while maintaining high service standards and customer satisfaction.
Implementing large-scale projects in Bihar and Maharashtra presents challenges such as demographic and geographic variability, environmental considerations, public resistance, infrastructure challenges, and meter positioning. CyanConnode leverages its extensive experience to adapt strategies, ensuring tailored solutions for each project area, leading to successful implementation and operation.
CyanConnode’s successful projects in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have provided valuable insights. The Indore Smart Metering project, which began in 2018, demonstrated significant improvements in billing efficiency and AT&C losses, leading to additional orders. In Himachal Pradesh, despite harsh weather and challenging terrains, CyanConnode maintained high SLAs and achieved remarkable coverage, further validating their RF technology’s capability.
Security challenges linked with smart meter digitization are addressed through a multi-layered security approach, similar to the “Swiss Cheese Model” of cybersecurity. Advanced encryption protocols, rigorous access controls, continuous software updates, robust physical security measures, and sophisticated intrusion detection systems ensure comprehensive protection. Adhering to international security standards and conducting regular audits, CyanConnode provides secure and resilient smart metering solutions essential for maintaining the integrity of India’s smart grid infrastructure.
With India planning to roll out 250 million prepaid smart meters over the next 4-5 years, CyanConnode is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth. With a decade of experience in India, a deep understanding of local demographics and geography, and a track record of delivering SLAs, CyanConnode plans to maintain and extend its market leadership. The company’s RF canopy for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) purposes offers potential beyond electricity smart metering, supporting gas and water metering, smart street lighting, and EV charging infrastructure, aligning with India’s Smart Cities Mission. This expansion will not only diversify CyanConnode’s portfolio but also significantly contribute to the company’s global business.
CyanConnode’s extensive deployments in India showcase the capability of their RF technology to support diverse utilities. As the country’s infrastructure evolves, CyanConnode anticipates expanding into other utility metering, further improving India’s utility management systems and contributing to long-term development in smart utilities. These expansions are expected to significantly bolster CyanConnode’s global business, reinforcing its leading position in the IoT and smart metering industry.
CyanConnode Holdings plc (LON:CYAN) is a world leader in the design and development of Narrowband RF mesh networks that enable Omni Internet of Things (IoT) communications.
