Itron Honored by Frost & Sullivan for Advanced Metering Infrastructure/Smart Metering Product Quality Leadership

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — August 10, 2009 — Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) announced today that it has been honored with the 2009 Frost & Sullivan Product Quality Leadership of the Year award. The award recognizes Itron's contribution to the North American advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) market, specifically its open architecture, smart metering solution, OpenWay®. The system addresses the major issues facing today's utilities as they deploy AMI and smart grid including interoperability and security.

"Itron is a market veteran," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Vignesh Sundaram. "Its leadership in the AMI movement comes as no surprise. The growing number of high-profile utilities relying on Itron smart metering technology is a testament to dedication to product quality and responsiveness to customer needs."

OpenWay was judged against it competitors' products in three categories: ability to fulfill utility needs, open standards for future upgrade and compatibility, and enhanced product support and network security.

The solution meets utility AMI and smart grid needs by enabling different pricing options; offering interval data; detecting power outage and restoration; identifying meter tamper, removal and reverse energy flow; and featuring disconnect and reconnect functionality while load limiting. It is also being acknowledged for its built-in communications pathway to the home for data presentation, load control and demand response—ultimately empowering consumers to curtail their energy use.

The system features two-way communication to meters including full Internet protocol (IP) support down to the edge device to support smart grid applications beyond AMI. This is in conjunction with the use of ANSI C12.22 and Zigbee Smart Energy standards, providing a common application layer that is compatible to all networked meters.

In terms of security, the award acknowledges Itron's diligent work to ensure encryption at the hardware level in OpenWay, as well as making it impossible to decode the metering device's communications.

Itron boasts AMI/smart grid wins with industry-leading utilities like CenterPoint Energy (Texas), DTE Energy (Mich.), San Diego Gas & Electric (Calif.) and Southern California Edison (Calif.).

"We were very thoughtful about how we designed OpenWay. We've invested a lot of time and resources to make it stand above other solutions on the market. It's gratifying to be acknowledged for that work by such an authoritative global consulting company," said Philip Mezey, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Itron North America.

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About Itron

Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely and reliably deliver critical infrastructure solutions to communities in more than 100 countries. Our portfolio of smart networks, software, services, meters and sensors helps our customers better manage electricity, gas and water resources for the people they serve. By working with our customers to ensure their success, we help improve the quality of life, ensure the safety and promote the well-being of millions of people around the globe. Itron is dedicated to creating a more resourceful world. Join us: www.itron.com.

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