I am new to this technology, but I see the potential. It appears the only other player is CNDS. They seem to have better technology, better financing, better visability, and they are getting more contracts. Why is ITRI better? If they are working so hard, why aren't they getting more contracts? I'd appreciate any responses in helping me to decide between these two stocks. Currently, I am leaning towards CNDS, but I want to check all the angles before I jump in. Thanks.
news as of today:
IPALCO AND CELLNET DATA SYSTEMS TO PROVIDE NETWORK METER READING SERVICES TO INDIANAPOLIS METRO AREA
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SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1997--CellNet
Data Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNDS.O), a leading provider of wireless
data communications and Network Meter Reading (NMR) services, and
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc., through its subsidiary, Indianapolis Power
& Light Company (IPL), today announced a contract for CellNet to
provide NMR services to IPL customers.
Upon successful completion of phase one of the network
installation, the NMR service is expected to be rolled out to
approximately 415,000 IPL customers in the greater Indianapolis
metropolitan area. The network installation is scheduled to begin in
November, 1997.
The IPL-CellNet network will provide NMR services to residential,
commercial and industrial customers, reading both single- and
polyphase electric meters. The networks services will also include
automatic outage detection; power theft detection; remote switch-on
and switch-off electric service and flexible billing. The financial
terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Jerry Waltz, IPL senior vice president, customer service said,
"CellNet's proven technology will help us to reduce operating costs
and provide our customers with better service while allowing us the
ability to provide customers with new and innovative products and
services in the future. This will place IPL in an even better
position to actively compete in the increasingly deregulated energy
market."
John M. (Mick) Seidl, CellNet president and chief executive
officer, said, "We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial
strategic partnership with IPL and to helping IPL achieve its
customer satisfaction and efficiency improvement goals via our
network, while building the value of CellNet for our shareholders.
We appreciate this strong vote of confidence in our proven NMR system
and technology."
Additional enhanced services that CellNets proven, low-cost
wireless data communications network can support include: on-line
distribution automation system (DA) to monitor and manage energy
distribution loads in order to help prevent power outages and
failures or implement recovery should power go down, and interactive
home energy management systems.
CellNet also has contracts for the installation and operation of
its wireless data networks with Kansas City Power & Light, Union
Electric Company, Northern States Power Company, Pacific Gas and
Electric Company and Puget Sound Energy, Inc. The networks installed
at Kansas City Power & Light and Union Electric Company are the
largest commercially deployed for Network Meter Reading today.
The Companies
CellNet Data Systems, Inc., with headquarters in San Carlos,
and with more than 750,000 devices on-line and approximately
2.7 million meters under contract, is a leading provider of
cost-effective wireless data communication services in the United
States. CellNets networks enable a wide range of on-line, real-time
customer service options and applications for the utility industry
and other commercial markets. For more information visit
cellnet.com .
Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) is a subsidiary of
IPALCO Enterprises, a multi-state energy company providing a variety
of energy products and services. IPL provides retail electric
service to approximately 415,000 residential, commercial and
industrial customers in Indianapolis and portions of other Central
Indiana counties |
