OUTDATED ELECTRICITY METERING means a comparative lack of efficiency, accuracy, and even grid reliability. This not only places pressure on the bottom line for utilities but directly impacts the everyday lives and budgets of communities and households desperate for stable yet affordable power.&nbsp;The obvious solution is smart metering and the vast quantity of real-time data it generates. However, a successful transition to smart metering technology in any region can only be achieved by implementing an effective connectivity solution between both utility and meter, and meter and consumer.&nbsp;<h2>The need for smart metering solutions in Africa</h2>In Africa, the urgency to upgrade to smart metering is pronounced. Electricity distribution utility companies, including municipal, metropolitan, and private providers along with smart city projects, off-grid solution providers, and meter manufacturers, are key stakeholders in the continent’s energy transformation. Together they recognize the importance of eliminating manual meter reading to significantly lower operational costs, as well as accurately bill customers, initiate dynamic pricing, monitor grid losses, optimize grid performance and minimize outages.In turn, there’s a clear understanding that connected metering would benefit consumers by empowering them to proactively manage and optimize their own energy consumption. But smart metering in Africa depends on reliable communication – a reality not easily achieved. &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Dominant metering technologies fail to deliver</h2>The two predominant metering technologies currently used in Africa—power line carrier (PLC) and cellular—are proving ineffective for various reasons, despite being successful elsewhere.&nbsp;For PLC solutions, pre-paid meters communicate over physical power lines, sending data back to a data concentrator unit (DCU), that in turn sends it to the Cloud. For cellular solutions, each pre-paid meter has a cellular modem that communicates to a cellular base station, with data then backhauled to an energy company’s software platform.&nbsp;Blackspots can sometimes make cellular coverage less reliable, leading to high subscription fees and low availability of service. And because cellular smart meter subscriptions are cost-optimized, the frequency that data can be transmitted is often limited.&nbsp;And PLC solutions do not work well in the event of the regular scheduled and unscheduled power outages that plague African networks. When there’s a power outage, it can take a long time for the network to restart and the smart meters to reconnect once power is restored - delaying critical grid management insights and consumer notifications.&nbsp;&nbsp;Renewable energy sources added to the grid can also negatively affect PLC communications, while consumer devices such as many low-quality electrical appliances generate significant interference, further disrupting smart meter communication.&nbsp;<h2>DECT NR+ solves networking challenges</h2>Given the drawbacks of these established technologies, wireless connectivity standard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/DECT-NR">DECT NR+</a>&nbsp;(NR+) has emerged as a viable alternative to PLC and Cellular. As well as being designed to operate with the same seamless and secure performance as cellular networks by offering over 99.99 percent uptime reliability, NR+ also provides exceptional resilience against blind spots and interference, thanks in part to its robust physical layer and operation in the less congested 1.9 GHz frequency band.&nbsp;Using NR+, smart meters extend and strengthen wireless network coverage, thanks to its self healing mesh topology. In urban environments, each smart meter can connect with over 50 neighboring meters, creating multiple access points for reliable communication.&nbsp;Furthermore, NR+ offers low operational costs with negligible data charges and reduced reliance on telecom operators for communication. A single cellular subscription can be shared across thousands of smart meters in urban areas, while in rural regions, the ratio is lower due to the dispersed housing topology.&nbsp;&nbsp;While traditional smart meters typically send data overnight or a few times per day, with NR+ data can be transmitted every minute – without a significant increase in cellular subscription fees, thanks to consolidated data transmission over a single high-capacity connection (LTE, Wi-Fi or Ethernet), and to the license-exempt communication over the DECT NR+ band.<h2>A Wirepas DECT NR+ smart metering solution</h2>Innovative companies in the smart metering space are already taking advantage of NR+. South African design and manufacturing firm,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2025/05/nRF9151-powers-Sustainable-Energy-Technologies-Wirepas-DECT-NR-solution-for-smart-metering-in-Africa">Sustainable Energy Technologies</a>&nbsp;(SET), for example, has launched a NR+ based Wirepas RF mesh network smart metering solution deployed on Nordic Semiconductor’s next generation <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF9151">nRF9151</a> module. The solution was developed for electricity distribution utilities and meter manufacturers to enable Africa’s transition to smart energy solutions, with an initial focus on South Africa and Kenya.&nbsp;The Wirepas NR+ implementation addresses all of the limitations of PLC and cellular meters, while continuously collecting near real time energy data and enabling two-way network communication for remote meter monitoring.<h2>nRF9151 tailored for NR+ and cellular IoT</h2>Nordic’s nRF9151 low power module is specifically designed for DECT NR+ and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Low-power-cellular-IoT">cellular IoT</a>&nbsp;applications. Support for Wirepas’ NR+ stack enables massive mesh applications that prioritize reliability, security, long range, and scalability.&nbsp;When used for DECT NR+, the nRF9151’s high transmit power ensures long-range communication even in areas with weak signal conditions, while its superior receiver sensitivity allows the device to detect weak signals from distant smart meters or network nodes. Its compact footprint (12 by 11 mm) and the open MCU makes it ideal for integration into a single chip Network Interface Card (NIC) inside smart meters.&nbsp;For Africa, NR+ overcomes previous limitations by ensuring reliable, long-range, and cost-effective connectivity to meet its smart metering demands. Nordic technology and Nordic partners specializing in smart metering are there to support this powerful transformation.

OUTDATED ELECTRICITY METERING means a comparative lack of efficiency, accuracy, and even grid reliability. This not only places pressure on the bottom line for utilities but directly impacts the everyday lives and budgets of communities and households desperate for stable yet affordable power.

DECT NR+ brings smart metering to Africa

Reliable and efficient antenna technology is crucial in today’s interconnected world, with growing demands for smart connectivity across industries and applications such as IoT, smart metering, and industrial applications. However, conventional designs often fall short of meeting the technological needs of stable connectivity and seamless communications, as they often struggle to support multi-frequency bands and adapt to modern protocols like 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and LPWANs (Low Power Wide Area Networks). This incompatibility can lead to reduced device efficiency, increased power consumption, and challenges in maintaining stable connections across varied environments. To lower the complexity and costs of managing multiple antennas and components, the demand for an omnidirectional antenna among design engineers and specialists is higher than ever.&nbsp;Addressing today’s connectivity needs, Ignion's OMNIA mXTEND™ offers a multi-radio antenna solution designed to improve communication efficiency across Cellular, GNSS, and Wi-Fi/BLE networks. This device ensures efficient communication by using a high-performance, multiband chip antenna that supports a wide range of frequencies across Cellular, GNSS, and Wi-Fi/BLE technologies, allowing seamless integration and robust connectivity. Its omnidirectional radiation pattern and simplified design enable reliable performance across various applications, minimizing complexity and ensuring consistent signal quality. This is especially beneficial in industries such as asset tracking, smart metering, and industrial IoT that require a scalable antenna solution.In this article, we’ll introduce OMNIA mXTEND™ product based on Virtual Antenna® technology and go through its use cases to better understand the importance of omnidirectional linearly polarized antennas.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Current Challenges in the Antenna Landscape</h2>Fragmentation is one of the key challenges engineers face while designing antennas. If a device has to use different communication protocols, then it often requires multiple separate antennas. For example, a device that needs to communicate through GNSS, Cellular, and Wi-Fi/BLE, usually needs different antennas to handle each protocol. As a result, the cost of production will increase, the size will be bigger, and the setup will be complex.Another issue is the limited connectivity. Maintaining an omnidirectional and uninterrupted signal is especially essential for industrial IoT and smart metering in challenging areas such as remote areas or densely populated cities. Some traditional solutions rely on external antennas, which are vulnerable to mechanical damage or theft.Furthermore, as IoT networks expand rapidly, the demand for versatile and reliable connectivity solutions becomes more pressing across various industries. Manufacturers seek efficient, multiband antenna components like the OMNIA mXTEND™ to ensure their devices can seamlessly connect across different networks, simplifying production processes and reducing costs while maintaining top-tier performance in diverse and challenging environments. Conventional antennas often struggle to maintain performance across large deployments. So, to efficiently scale IoT systems, breaking barriers in antenna design is necessary.<h2 dir="ltr">Introducing The OMNIA mXTEND® multi-radio chip antenna component</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Ignion: Pioneers in Antenna Innovation</h3>With over two decades of experience leading innovation in the antenna industry, Ignion has set out to reach the goal of simplifying the process of antenna design and offering enhanced connectivity across multiple communication methods. To do so, Ignion focuses on tackling complex connectivity challenges with its adaptable, multi-band Virtual Antenna® technology [1-5], designed to streamline antenna integration across Cellular, GNSS, and Wi-Fi/BLE standards. This approach eliminates the need for custom antenna designs, cutting down development time and costs while offering reliable performance across a wide frequency range. With its continuous advancements, Ignion supports industries like IoT, automotive, and smart metering by simplifying antenna design, enabling efficient scaling, and providing dependable wireless communication that meets the advancing demands of connected applications.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">High-Performance Multi-Radio Antenna Solution for Seamless IoT Connectivity&nbsp;</h3>Inspired by the Latin term “Omnia,” meaning "all" or "everything," OMNIA mXTEND™ represents a powerful, all-in-one solution for multi-radio connectivity. This technology combines Wi-Fi/BLE, GNSS, and Cellular capabilities within a single unit, offering seamless connectivity across diverse frequencies while simplifying design and reducing installation time.Moreover, combining multi-radio capabilities into one compact component provides consistent connectivity across a broad range of frequencies. This means that regardless of the environment or communications protocol that is in work, the chance of an interruption in connection will be much lower than before, be it in a dense urban environment or a remote and distant location. For instance, OMNIA supports multiple networks within the frequency of 790 to 960 MHz for cellular IoT, 1561 to 1606 MHz for GNSS communication, and 2400 to 2500 MHz for Wi-Fi/BLE. By mostly eliminating the need for separate antennas for different communication protocols, this solution allows the manufacturers to streamline their supply chains and minimize hardware and maintenance expenses.<h3 dir="ltr">Introducing OMNIA mXTEND™</h3>As the first-of-its-kind 3-port antenna, the OMNIA mXTEND™ is a versatile solution suitable for the creation of next-generation wireless devices by supporting Cellular Networks (4G, 5G, NB-IoT, and LTE-M), GNSS systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou), and Wi-Fi/BLE in one compact design.Furthermore, it’s a future-proof solution providing a wide range of frequencies from 400 MHz to 8000 MHz which ensures compatibility with future networks.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMyNTUyMzgwODEyLWlnbmlvbi1hbnRlbm5hLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><h4 dir="ltr">Specifications and technical features of the OMNIA mXTEND™ chip antenna component:</h4><ul><li dir="ltr">Compact size with dimensions of 44.1 x 14.6 x 1.0 mm3, designed for efficient use of PCB space.</li><li dir="ltr">Omnidirectional radiation pattern that offers reliable connectivity in all directions.</li><li dir="ltr">Linear polarization and support of consistent signal quality across all protocols.</li><li dir="ltr">The antenna can operate within a temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.</li><li dir="ltr">The average total efficiency of more than 55% for cellular, 75% for GNSS, and 65% for Wi-Fi/BLE</li><li dir="ltr">Peak gain of 0.9 dBi for cellular, 4.0 dBi for GNSS, and 3.5 dBi for Wi-Fi/BLE.</li><li dir="ltr">Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is less than 2.6:1 for cellular, 1.5:1 for GNSS, and 2:1 for Wi-Fi/BLE.</li><li dir="ltr">Approximate weight of 1.23 g.</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">Applications of OMNIA mXTEND™</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Asset Tracking and Logistics</h3>Asset tracking and logistics involve the monitoring and management of valuable assets as they move through supply chains or within operational environments, ensuring their safety, efficiency, and proper handling. In this context, effective communication and real-time data transmission are essential to maintain seamless tracking and improve logistical operations. The OMNIA mXTEND™ solution is ideal for these applications, providing high-performance, multiband coverage that supports the diverse connectivity needs required for reliable asset tracking.This versatile antenna technology ensures consistent and robust connections, enabling businesses to optimize their asset management systems with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. OMNIA mXTEND™ supports seamless multi-network connectivity, ensuring that assets can be tracked with precision, no matter the environment. Multi-network capabilities in OMNIA mXTEND™ are perfect for asset tracking, as it can seamlessly connect to various types of networks and ensure reliable tracking across all sorts of environments, such as underground parking lots and remote locations.Moreover, this product can significantly reduce the chance of losing assets and experiencing downtime. In addition to that, the cost of the tracking device will be much more affordable due to eliminating the need for separate antennas, and access to continuous monitoring will be achievable through a simpler process of setting up OMNIA mXTEND™. By reducing the complexity and cost of integrating separate antennas, this device streamlines the design process, allowing organizations to enhance their asset management capabilities effectively.<h3 dir="ltr">Smart Metering</h3>Long-range communication is essential in smart metering, and OMNIA easily provides that thanks to its capabilities to support different critical bands such as LTE. This makes OMNIA mXTEND™ ideal for large-scale smart grid projects. For example, its compact design and multi-frequency capability allow seamless integration into a variety of device sizes and configurations. This adaptability enables its deployment across extensive smart grid networks, supporting thousands of interconnected devices without the need for customized antenna solutions.Moreover, it ensures accuracy and security while transmitting data by providing consistent, high-efficiency signal strength across multiple frequency bands, which is crucial for real-time data collection and energy management. Its robust design minimizes data loss and signal interference, while the stable 50 Ω impedance ensures reliable connections, reducing the risk of data corruption during transmission. With stringent European regulatory standards, the OMNIA mXTEND™was developed in order to guarantee a consistent performance that ensures the safety, performance, and environmental compliance of electronic components. This includes for example RoHS certification, which restricts the use of hazardous materials, and alignment with CE marking requirements that confirm conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards in the European Economic Area.<h3 dir="ltr">Industrial IoT</h3>With OMNIA mXTEND™, managing data from interconnected systems becomes easier, thanks to its consistent, multiband connectivity that supports several wireless standards. Its strong signal and wide frequency compatibility facilitate reliable data transmission, minimizing connectivity disruptions and streamlining data management. Built for industrial durability, OMNIA mXTEND™ performs well in challenging environments like secure facilities and remote stations. By supporting multiple network types in one solution, it also reduces costs and simplifies operations, making it ideal for optimizing workflows through real-time data collection and resilient design.<h2 dir="ltr">Oxion AI Platform</h2>While you need advanced antenna technology to ensure seamless and efficient data transmission across interconnected systems, organizations need a powerful tool to process and extract value from this constant flow of data. This is where the Oxion AI Platform steps in, offering advanced analytical capabilities that enable real-time data interpretation, predictive analytics, and smarter decision-making processes.Oxion AI platform simplifies the antenna design process by using digital twin technology to offer users the tools to tweak antenna placement, change PCB size, get estimated performance, and more freely accessible in real-time.With the Oxion AI platform, users can receive immediate feedback on performance, as it leverages Ignion’s expertise of over 50 million wireless devices deployed to provide guidance and remove traditional barriers. Overall, the Oxion platform expertly guides both novices and experts from concept to market.<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>OMNIA mXTEND™ offers an advanced approach to antenna design, overcoming the limitations of traditional antennas by enabling flexible integration and improved multiband performance. As an omnidirectional, linearly polarized solution, OMNIA is cost-effective, durable, flexible, and reliable. This innovative approach can benefit many industries and applications, such as smart metering, asset tracking, and industrial IoT.&nbsp;To ensure that even the most complex IoT solutions can be efficiently designed, the Oxion AI platform is freely accessible. It can even guide novice engineers and product developers through the necessary steps by providing real-time feedback, user-friendly simulations, and intuitive design tools that simplify the process of antenna placement and configuration, ensuring optimal performance without requiring advanced technical expertise.&nbsp;Considering it is first-of-its-kind, we can expect continuous improvements, innovations, and support for OMNIA mXTEND™ in the future. Learn more and explore the<a href="https://www.oxion.ai/">&nbsp;Oxion platform</a> to streamline your antenna integration.<table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100%; width: 50.0000%;"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzMyNjEzODIzMDg1LWZ1bmRlZC1ieS1ldS1sb2dvLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 144px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></td><td style="width: 49.9398%;">The OMNIA mXTEND project was funded by the European Innovation Council Accelerator Program. </td></tr></tbody></table>This article was contributed to by <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/farhad.pashaei" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Farhad Pashaei</a>.&nbsp;

Efficient antenna technology is critical for IoT, smart metering, and industrial connectivity. This article explores how omnidirectional antennas are now in demand to simplify designs and enhance performance.

smart metering

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DECT NR+ brings smart metering to Africa

All in One: The Multi-Radio Antenna Technology Simplifying Multi-Network Connectivity