India Strengthens Smart Meter Projects with Wi-SUN FAN Certification
India is poised to advance its ambitious smart meter rollout with the launch of the Wi-SUN Field Area Network (FAN) certification program. This initiative aims to streamline the deployment of smart meters and Internet of Things (IoT) devices across the country, ensuring these devices meet rigorous standards for security, resilience, and interoperability.
The certification program, introduced by the Wi-SUN Alliance, provides essential validation for manufacturers of smart meters, Data Concentrator Units (DCUs), communications modules, and other smart sensors. This process guarantees that these devices can communicate seamlessly within a connected ecosystem, making them ideal for the country’s growing smart grid and smart city projects. Already, major vendors such as Comminent, Renesas Electronics, and Silicon Labs have successfully passed the Wi-SUN FAN certification tests at CN Labs’ facility in Bengaluru, India. These certifications are crucial as India plans to roll out over 250 million smart meters in the coming years to enhance its utility infrastructure.
A strong communication network will be essential to ensure that these devices can operate efficiently, exchanging data securely and in real-time across vast networks. The Wi-SUN FAN specification has already been adopted by India’s Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as the official national standard for Smart Meter Radio Frequency Communication Networks. This specification is also recognised globally, with IEEE adopting it as IEEE 2857. The certification ensures that devices, especially in dense urban areas, continue to operate even in the event of network disruptions, thanks to the self-healing mesh structure of the Wi-SUN FAN network.
This technology supports high data rates and enables quick network recovery, which is critical for utility and municipality networks to function reliably, particularly during power outages or other disturbances. Wi-SUN FAN technology provides a significant advantage over proprietary communication solutions, which have often created vendor lock-ins for utilities. By standardising communication protocols, the Wi-SUN FAN allows utilities to scale their infrastructure and improve the interoperability of their devices, making it easier for utilities to choose the best products for their needs without being tied to a single supplier.
With the growing demand for reliable and scalable smart grid infrastructure, experts believe that the Wi-SUN FAN certification program will play a crucial role in shaping India’s smart meter and smart city initiatives. By embracing this standard, India aims to develop a future-proof, resilient infrastructure that can meet the increasing energy demands while ensuring high levels of cybersecurity and operational efficiency.
