Telecom operator Bharti Airtel has entered into a strategic partnership with IntelliSmart Infrastructure to connect up to 2 crore smart meters with internet of things technology, the company said on Thursday. The project is estimated to be executed over a period of next 10 years. “This marks Airtel’s foray into smart metering applications such as head end system, along with Cloud and Analytics. This is the one of the largest deals in the smart metering space in the country and will significantly contribute towards Airtel’s fast-growing IoT deployment across sectors,” Airtel said in a statement. The company said its proprietary platform the “Airtel IoT Hub” will help the utility track and monitor these smart meters with advanced analytics while maintaining extremely high reliability augmented with telco grade security. “IoT is one of the fastest-growing business segments for Airtel Business and, with this deal, we are now strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in driving the government’s vision of digitising 250 million conventional meters to smart meters,” Airtel Business (India) CEO Ganesh Lakshminarayanan said. Intellismart Infrastructure MD and CEO Anil Rawal said India’s smart metering programme is a significant step taken by the government to modernise the power distribution sector. “We are confident that the on-boarding of Airtel as a strategic partner will be a significant step towards our goal of creating strong associations to strengthen our infrastructure solution with a resilient and secure cloud-hosted cellular communication network,” Rawal said.Yes Bank cofounder Rana Kapoor gets bail in ED case related to loan fraudNexzu Mobility plans to set up smart EV park in Gujarat, invest Rs 5,000 cr in 10 yearsConstruction, PV segments to boost tyre industry: JK Tyre MD Raghupati SinghaniaBe an ally in ensuring better compliance, protecting stakeholder interests, RBI tells SROsSales of apartments in top 7 cities may rise 20% to 2.6 lakh units this year: ReportMahindra subsidiary ties up with e-waste management firm AtteroGovt says 164 planes lying idle at 15 airportsSidvin Core-Tech India leases 54,000 sq ft in Bangalore’s Brigade Deccan HeightsZypp Electric to deploy 500,000 e-scooters in India by FY27Trying to bring normalcy at inundated solar project, under construction plant in Tamil Nadu: Thermax