Bilbao, Spain --- (METERING.COM) --- February 21, 2013 - The PRIME standard has now been officially published by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as Recommendation ITU-T G.9904 “Narrowband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing power line communication transceivers for PRIME networks.”

The new standard, which is available free of charge from ITU’s official web site, contains the last  consolidated specifications of physical layer (PHY) and data link layer (DLL) developed by PRIME Alliance, including convergence layers for both IEC61334-4-32 and IPv6 profiles, so supporting either standard DLMS/COSEM smart metering applications or new advanced internet-based smart grid solutions.

In addition, PRIME control parameters determining  spectral content, power spectral density (PSD) mask requirements and related tools to support the reduction of the transmit PSD have been also published  in  Recommendation ITU-T G.9901, so providing a complete set of specifications for easy implementation and fast adoption worldwide.

“With the increasing need for clear international standards to be established in the smart grid market, this step is a significant achievement for the PRIME Alliance,” said Alessandro Moscatelli, PRIME’s standards coordinator. “Along with the availability of multiple interoperable solutions, standardization definitely drives wider market acceptance and adoption worldwide.”

With this achievement at the standards development organization level, PRIME is today the only OFDM PLC technology which is at the same time an approved international standard and a proven technology deployed in the field, with millions of smart meter installations by major utilities such as Iberdrola, Gas Natural Fenosa, EDP, ENERGA and others.

In addition, consolidated  PRIME certification process and tools are now available at major independent certification bodies such as DNV KEMA and Tecnalia which have been facilitating the introduction of PRIME-compliant and interoperable products in the market.