A partnership between smart metering manufacturer Lesira-Teq and global Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity provider Onomondo has led to the development of a single smart meter model that is deployable across countries, without requiring country-specific configurations or network adjustments.

The long-term evolution, or  LTE,  category 1 bis smart metering solution powered by an integrated global IoT embedded Subscriber Identity Module (eSIM) is said to enable municipalities, utility providers, private grid operators and hardware distributors to deploy a single smart meter model across more than 180 countries.

The companies explain that, traditionally, smart meter deployments have been constrained by varying network requirements across different regions, often requiring multiple device configurations and increasing operational complexity. The combination of Lesira-Teq’s smart metering technology and Onomondo’s global IoT connectivity infrastructure is designed to enable customers to deploy and manage connected utility infrastructure more efficiently across multiple markets while maintaining reliable connectivity and remote management capabilities.

This technology allows utilities to roll out smart meters immediately using standard 4G, bypassing the need for specialised IoT networks. This means that telecom companies can connect millions of meters without spending capital on tower upgrades or building dedicated Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) cores.

At the core of the solution is a single global stock-keeping unit, or SKU, allowing the same meter to be manufactured, distributed and deployed worldwide without regional reconfiguration.

An integrated global IoT eSIM allows the meters to automatically connect to the strongest available mobile network in each deployment location across more than 180 countries and over 600 mobile network operators globally. This helps to simplify procurement, inventory management and deployment planning for utilities and infrastructure providers operating across multiple regions.

“As organisations continue to scale connected infrastructure across multiple regions, connectivity should not be a barrier to growth. Through our partnership with Lesira-Teq, we are helping customers deploy and manage smart metering infrastructure more seamlessly, while benefiting from reliable global connectivity and enhanced operational flexibility,” explained Onomondo senior account executive Christian Allmer.

By standardising a single hardware model instead of custom regional versions, manufacturing can be scaled to bulk production, cutting costs and reducing inventory held by distributors. The smart meters run on standard 4G, which means that clients don’t have to pay for or maintain localised LPWAN gateways and base stations.

The solution provides operators with access to real-time utility data, including consumption monitoring, credit usage, leak detection alerts and tamper notifications. Operators can also remotely perform actions such as credit loading and valve control without requiring technician call-outs, enabling faster response times and improved operational efficiency.

The platform supports secure Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates, enabling meters to receive software enhancements, security updates and performance improvements throughout their operational lifecycle.

This allows operators to maintain and optimise deployed infrastructure remotely while reducing the need for physical maintenance interventions. OTA updates eliminate the need for field technicians to implement software patches, further reducing costs.

“Utility providers increasingly require infrastructure that can be monitored, managed and updated remotely. Through our partnership with Onomondo, we are enabling customers to deploy a single smart metering platform across multiple markets while maintaining visibility, connectivity and operational control. This simplifies deployment and supports the growing demand for smarter utility management,” said Lesira-Teq CEO Edwin Sibiya.