Finland-based large-scale mesh connectivity firm Wirepas has launched a business model for India’s massive smart metering rollout.

Called Wirepas Certified, the platform means utilities and AMI providers get a performance guarantee: if a meter doesn’t connect or meet the requirements, the service is free.

This commitment should make deployments faster, simpler and risk-free, setting a standard for accountability in smart metering.

India is driving one of the world’s most ambitious smart metering programmes, targeting over 300 million smart meters nationwide. Yet, traditional approaches have faced hurdles such as unreliable cellular coverage in dense cities and rural areas, struggles to scale, costly gateways and complex integrations. Wirepas Certified eliminates these problems with a self-healing, standardised RF mesh that ensures uninterrupted connectivity in any environment, at any scale, from high-rise basements to remote villages.

With Wirepas Certified, every meter’s performance is verified before, during and after deployment. If a meter fails to meet the key connectivity requirements set in the Standard Bidding Document (SBD), the service is free. This model shifts the risk away from utilities and service providers making large-scale AMI rollouts faster, simpler and more predictable.

“With more than ten million meters already connected with Wirepas in India, we know this market,” said Teppo Hemiä, CEO of Wirepas (wirepas.com). “We’ve built Wirepas Certified by listening closely to our partners and customers. This is not just another technology launch but a turning point for AMI in India. For the first time, utilities and providers can count on connectivity as a guaranteed service during the entire project duration. In every market, including India’s AMI sector, open, transparent ecosystems succeed because they are unbeatable in innovation: every part is interoperable, simple to deploy and accountable for results. You can’t hide in a system, you take responsibility for each part, and all parties can bring their innovation.”

Users only pay service for meters that connect and perform on the pre-paid scheme (disconnect and reconnect) as defined in the SBD, removing risk and ensuring reliable rollouts. Based on the NR+ standard (wirepas.com/nr-5g-standard/), Wirepas Certified ensures full compatibility across smart meters and head-end systems, enabling an open ecosystem.

No gateways are required. A mix of RF-only meters and dual-communication meters (RF plus cellular) is all it takes to cover any location and secure coverage. Wirepas Certified makes it straightforward to plug meters into any system, so everything works together without extra hassle.

India’s AMI rollout is accelerating, with installations surpassing 30 million meters in 2025 and more than two million added every month. This makes India the world’s largest and fastest-growing smart metering market. For utilities and AMI providers, the stakes are high; every failed connection adds cost, delay and frustration. By eliminating the risk of non-performing meters and simplifying supply chains, Wirepas Certified ensures these massive deployments are sustainable, reliable and economically sound.

Integration with the first ten Indian players is ongoing and Wirepas’ target is to pre-integrate with all key players in the market by the end of this year.