Smart metering breakthrough: HPL Electric & Power and Wirepas cut costs with in-meter gateway

HPL Electric & Power Limited, a leading manufacturer of electrical equipment and smart metering solutions, has partnered with Wirepas, a global innovator in IoT connectivity, to introduce a groundbreaking in-meter gateway technology for India‘s smart metering infrastructure. This innovation eliminates the need for traditional data concentrator units (DCUs) or dedicated gateways, significantly reducing the cost and complexity of deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI solutions).

The new solution was unveiled at Elecrama 2025 in Noida, India, where industry leaders gathered to witness the latest developments in power and energy technology. HPL Electric & Power and Wirepas demonstrated a fully integrated RF mesh network solution, embedding connectivity directly into smart meters. This advancement enhances efficiency, optimises costs, and ensures seamless connectivity across utility networks, addressing long-standing challenges in India’s smart metering rollout.

What Makes the In-Meter Gateway a Game-Changer for Smart Metering?

India’s smart metering rollout has traditionally relied on both cellular and RF mesh networks. However, implementing RF mesh technology has required standalone gateway devices or DCUs, which add complexity to the installation process. These gateways involve extensive site surveys, planning, and maintenance, leading to higher capital and operational expenditures for utility companies.

By integrating in-meter gateway technology, HPL Electric & Power and Wirepas have introduced an approach that embeds RF mesh connectivity directly into the smart meter itself. This eliminates the need for external gateway devices by allowing certain smart meters within a network to serve as RF mesh hubs. These meters collect data from up to 300 surrounding meters and transmit it to the head-end system (HES) via a shared 4G connection, minimising the need for additional hardware and infrastructure investments.

This innovative solution operates on the 865–868 MHz RF mesh frequency, ensuring reliable data transmission even in regions with poor cellular network coverage. The dual-radio capability within the meters allows seamless connectivity between the RF mesh network and LTE-based communications, ensuring that data flows efficiently to the central utility system.

How Does the In-Meter Gateway Reduce Costs for Utility Companies?

One of the most significant advantages of HPL Electric & Power and Wirepas’ RF mesh network solution is the drastic reduction in overall deployment costs. Traditionally, utility companies needed to invest heavily in standalone gateway devices, which required dedicated installation and ongoing maintenance. The in-meter gateway eliminates this expense, offering a cost-effective alternative without compromising reliability.

With the ability to share a single 4G connection across multiple smart meters, the solution optimises bandwidth utilisation, reducing transmission costs while maintaining high-performance connectivity. Additionally, the technology supports a service-level agreement (SLA) of up to 99.9%, ensuring uninterrupted data flow and accurate meter readings. This level of efficiency is crucial as India continues to expand its smart grid infrastructure and modernise power distribution networks.

What Do Industry Experts Say About This Smart Metering Innovation?

Industry leaders have expressed strong support for the in-meter gateway technology, citing its potential to reshape India’s AMI solutions. Rishi Seth, Managing Director of HPL Electric & Power, emphasised the strategic benefits of this breakthrough, highlighting how the solution simplifies installations and enhances connectivity in areas where traditional cellular networks face limitations. He described the in-meter gateway as a transformative development that improves service quality and reduces costs for both utilities and consumers.

Wirepas CEO Teppo Hemia underscored the reliability and scalability of the RF mesh network solution, noting that the company has already deployed five million smart meters in India with a proven SLA of 99.9% uptime. He stated that the in-meter gateway technology, combined with HPL Electric & Power’s advanced metering systems, provides a future-proof AMI solution that ensures long-term network stability and efficiency.

Where Can Industry Professionals See the In-Meter Gateway in Action?

Elecrama 2025 has provided an exclusive platform for industry professionals to experience the first live demonstration of the in-meter gateway solution. HPL Electric & Power is showcasing its innovation at Hall 1, Stall D10, while Wirepas is presenting its cutting-edge RF mesh network technology at Hall 7, Booth B11.

The demonstration features a complete AMI solution, including multiple HPL smart meters, with one embedded with in-meter gateway functionality. This setup showcases seamless interoperability between Wirepas’ network management system (NMS) and HPL’s head-end system (HES), highlighting the efficiency and robustness of the solution in real-world applications.

How Will This Innovation Shape the Future of Smart Metering in India?

The integration of in-meter gateway technology marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernise its smart grid infrastructure. By eliminating the need for external gateways and reducing installation complexities, this approach paves the way for scalable, cost-efficient AMI solutions.

As India moves toward widespread adoption of smart metering, the demand for RF mesh network solutions that balance affordability and reliability will continue to grow. The collaboration between HPL Electric & Power and Wirepas has set a new benchmark for smart metering solutions, demonstrating how innovative connectivity strategies can revolutionise energy management and distribution across the country.

With its ability to enhance data accuracy, optimise costs, and streamline installation, the in-meter gateway is expected to play a vital role in shaping India’s power sector for years to come. The success of this initiative underscores the potential of advanced RF mesh network solutions to transform the way utilities monitor and manage energy consumption, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and efficient smart grid ecosystem.