Many service providers have expressed serious concerns regarding performance, reliability, and security for this PC-centric mode of networking. On the contrary, IP telephony is really about offering a whole new class of services never before available to consumers. For example, with IP telephony, low cost PBX functions can be offered giving the consumer multiple phone lines on demand. The HSG and new networking technology can now easily enable the emergence of second and third IP phones that can simultaneously use the same phone line for separate voice conversations. The utility industry is undergoing dramatic change, as one of the last industries to be deregulated.
Competition is emerging and comparison with the telecommunications industry is appropriate.
Energy management and automation solutions will allow utilities to provide valuable services to their customers. Utilities will benefit from improved customer retention, reduced labor costs, and increased revenue opportunities. AMR has not been broadly deployed because of difficulties proving that the cost of deployment can be supported by cost savings resulting from the elimination of the manual meter reading. As a stand-alone solution, the AMR business case is difficult to close. However, as an addition to an existing home service gateway, the cost of AMR is dramatically reduced.