Online News

August 16, 2011

Billion Teams with Tropos Networks Creating Hybrid Smart Grid Communication Solutions for Power Utilities

August 16th, 2011 – Taipei, Taiwan – Leading Asia Pacific-based provider of network equipment and green power products, Billion Electric Co., Ltd (Taiex: 3027, trading as Billion) today announced a relationship with Tropos Networks, the best-of-breed provider of wireless IP broadband networks for the Smart Grid. Billion will offer Tropos technology and its own solutions to provide Asian power utilities a hybrid Smart Grid communications network that is reliable, scalable, and high-performance.

Through a newly established agreement, Billion will market and support Tropos' field-proven and secure wide-area network solution for the Smart Grid. Utilities can use both Billion PLC/BPL and Tropos IEEE 802.11 mesh broadband network technologies for aggregating communications of multiple smart grid applications such as AMI, distribution automation, substation security, mobile workforce, etc. The Tropos Wi-Fi Mesh system can serve as the robust and reliable backhaul communication infrastructure for Billion’s existing PLC/BPL based neighborhood communication technologies. Leveraging the Billion-Tropos collaboration, Billion partners can work together to provide customers an end-to-end network solution that offers flexibility and efficiency.

“Billion is one of the leading companies in Asia capable of providing both power and communication solutions. We are pleased to work with Billion to provide Tropos broadband wireless network technology to implement collaborative strategies and win-win Smart Grid business models for Asia-Pacific markets,” said Tom Ayers, President and CEO of Tropos Networks.

"We are excited about this new relationship with Tropos Networks that expands our Smart Grid product portfolio and is complementary to our solutions. With Tropos, Billion now has a complete communications solution for power utilities. Tropos has an established reputation for Smart Grid communications across the world; we are excited to partner with such an industry leader. We're seeing an increase in interest from utilities in converged network technologies, and we want to offer our customers a complete communications solution. We look forward to a positive and fruitful relationship with Tropos and potential for expanding the relationship in the future," said Tim Chen, Chairman and CEO of Billion.

About Billion

Billion Electric Co., Ltd. (Taiex: 3027, trading as Billion), was established in Taiwan in 1973. One of Asia Pacific area’s leading providers of power supplies, communication equipments and Smart Grid and Smart Energy Solution Provider. Billion has in-house R&D laboratories with over 185 engineers specializing in the fields of communications, networking, power, and energy management. The R&D teams are located at Taipei and Hsin-chu in Taiwan, Nanjing and Dong-Guang in China. They work together to meet the needs of Billion’s OEM/ODM partners from across the globe. Billion now employs more than 1,630 people and has manufacturing locations in Taiwan, Malaysia, and China. All the factories are ISO9002 certified and every product is 100% tested twice to ensure the best quality and zero defects. For more information, please visit our websites at www.billion.com.tw and www.smartgrid.com.tw.

About Tropos Networks

Tropos was founded in 2000 and got its start selling its standards-based, secure wireless broadband networks to cities as a foundation for multiple municipal services including public safety, intelligent transportation systems, mobile worker automation, and utilities (power, water, gas). Over the past few years, with the emergence of the Smart Grid, Tropos has increased its market focus to provide its field-proven technology and services to power utilities for aggregating communications for a wide range of Smart Grid applications. The company has more than 800 customers around the world in 30 countries. Tropos has been awarded 30 patents for its wireless network technologies and has an additional 30 pending. For more information, please visit www.tropos.com.

For more information:
Media contact: press@billion.com ; marketing@billion.com

Billion and the Billion logo are trademarks of Billion Electric Co., Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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