ITRON AND TROPOS PARTNER TO STRENGTHEN SMART GRID COMMUNICATIONS

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Integration Between Companies Provides Utilities With Smart Grid-optimized Solutions

TAMPA, Fla.--DistribuTECH 2010 - March 22, 2010 - Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) and Tropos Networks announced today an agreement to jointly develop products for the utility market including an integrated network solution. The joint solution will allow utilities to extend their smart grid foundation into a comprehensive, privately owned broadband network for utility applications. This aligns with the larger goal of the partnership, which is to simplify utility smart grid deployment and management while laying the foundation for additional smart grid applications. 

As utilities begin their smart grid deployments, systems like these will enable a class of network that integrates easily with a wide variety of smart grid devices, while offering the unique extensibility, reliability, longevity and system availability necessary for smart grids to become reality. The solution is already successfully being used by several utilities.

“From its inception, Itron has viewed the smart grid as a ‘network-of-networks’. This vision is coming to fruition in the form of multiple partnerships that utilize networks beyond advanced metering,” said Philip Mezey, Itron North America senior vice president and chief operating officer. “Innovative collaboration with Tropos Networks allows Itron to extend the functionality of its smart grid platform beyond the meter to the next wave of applications, as well as offering carrier-class network management.”

“We are pleased to work closely with Itron in providing utilities with a robust smart grid distribution area network and wireless management platform,” said Tom Ayers, president and chief executive officer of Tropos. “The combination of Itron’s expertise and successful track record in the utility industry along with Tropos’ capabilities and experience in outdoor IP mesh networking, provides a strong value proposition for utilities making a strategic investment in their smart grid infrastructure.”

Both companies’ products are standards-based and designed for ease-of-integration with third-party vendors and customization. The joint products leverage technologies from both companies including an OpenWay® Cell Relay and Tropos’ mesh router and wireless management software, providing a tightly integrated multi-functional solution. The cell relay, acting as a router between OpenWay CENTRON® smart meters and the OpenWay Collection Engine in the utility’s back office, transports usage data between the meter and the utility operations centers.  In addition, Tropos routers support multiple distribution area network applications and end points including distribution automation, substation security and mobile utility worker applications. The joint products will be exclusively available through Itron and Itron sales channels.

For more information, please visit Itron in booth 903, and/or Tropos in booth 1742 at DistribuTECH 2010, March 23 – 25 in Tampa.

About Itron

Itron Inc. is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Our company is the world’s leading provider of intelligent metering, data collection and utility software solutions, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our products include electricity, gas, water and heat meters, data collection and communication systems, including automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI); meter data management and related software applications; as well as project management, installation, and consulting services. To know more, start here:www.itron.com.

About Tropos Networks

Tropos® Networks (www.tropos.com) is the worldwide market leader in IP broadband mesh networks.  Its solutions create greener, safer, smarter foundations for deployment of high-value applications that increase efficiencies and reduce operational costs within communities.  Greener – smart grid and intelligent transportation systems.  Safer – mobile public safety communications and IP video surveillance.  Smarter – enabling mobile workers to access information from the field.  Tropos delivers the highest levels of reliability, scalability, performance, security, and control in the industry with more than 750 customers in over 30 countries.  Founded in 2000, Tropos Networks is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, please call 408-331-6800 or emailinfo@tropos.com.

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