Airspan Networks Inc., a provider of broadband wireless access networks, and Grid Net, a provider of real-time, all-IP Smart Grid and Smart Home software platforms for devices and broadband technology, have completed a successful interoperability test with Airspan’s (News - Alert) 4G wireless infrastructure solution.

Officials with Airspan said that the combined Airspan and Grid Net 4G Smart Grid network solution supports localized operation and enforcement of distribution automation, smart metering, demand response, distributed generation management, and energy storage management functions across the grid.

Grid Net provides an integrated suite of software products which provide secure monitoring, reporting, and control for real-time, advanced smart grid management.

Company officials said that the Airspan 4G infrastructure facilitates the communications path for the Grid Net network management software over a wireless, broadband 4G network operating in the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz wireless bands. According to company officials Airspan base stations are deployed with over 1000 telecom operators and utilities in a wide range of applications.

Officials say the interoperability testing simulated a smart grid network consisting of smart meters with embedded 4G WiMAX (News - Alert) chips that communicated electricity usage data directly to Airspan 4G MacroMAX base stations, which then transferred the data to the Grid Net network management server.

“The Airspan solution performed very well for us as well as the responsiveness of their team. We are excited to collaborate with a partner that shares our vision to deliver secure, reliable, standards-based, 4G smart grid solutions to utilities across the globe,” said Ray Bell, founder and CEO of Grid Net, in a statement.

Henrik Smith-Petersen, president of global business development for Airspan said that smart grid operations require a fast and secure communications infrastructure. Petersen said that utilities are increasingly selecting Airspan’s 4G WiMAX solution to address this need. “Interoperability plays a vital role in the utility market and our partnership with Grid Net underlines our commitment to offer utilities a fully interoperable solution that enables seamless, real-time, secure two-way communication,” he said.