Utilities tie into AT&T

Utilities tie into AT&T

Two utilities, Louisville Gas & Electric Co. (LG&E), Louisville, KY, and Con Edison, New York, NY, are deploying AT&T`s Integrated Broadband Utility Solution, a two-way customer communications system for the utility industry. LG&E plans to evaluate the economic benefits of distribution automation applications for the AT&T system. (In a separate announcement, LG&E said it plans to work with TKR Cable of Greater Louisville, a subsidiary of TCI, to build the fiber-optic network needed for a two-way system.)

Con Edison also plans to develop energy-services products for commercial customers through its involvement in the alliance. According to AT&T, these services include power-quality monitoring, real-time pricing, and customer-controlled load management, as well as other interactive services.