News Highlights:
- The STS Association and DLMS User Association have signed a landmark liaison agreement to integrate STS token technology with DLMS/COSEM, aiming to boost interoperability, security, and efficiency in smart prepayment metering systems globally.
- The collaboration will extend beyond electricity into multi-utility applications (water, gas, and time metering) and will be showcased at Power & Water Nigeria 2026, highlighting its role in shaping future-ready utility infrastructure.
A new global push to standardise and future-proof smart prepayment metering systems is underway, following the signing of a liaison agreement between the STS Association and the DLMS User Association.
The partnership, described as a “significant milestone in the evolution of interoperable, secure, and future-ready smart prepayment metering systems,” brings together two of the world’s most widely adopted standards—STS token technology and the DLMS/COSEM data model.
Both organisations say the collaboration is driven by a shared objective of strengthening interoperability, enhancing smart prepayment capabilities, and delivering greater value across the global metering ecosystem.
The DLMS User Association is widely regarded as a global authority in interoperable and secure data exchange, providing what stakeholders see as a strong foundation for innovation in energy and water management.
Its DLMS/COSEM protocol and data model are broadly adopted and supported by major international standardisation bodies, positioning it as a key enabler of modern smart metering systems.
Under the agreement, both bodies will work closely to ensure that STS tokens can be seamlessly transported using the DLMS/COSEM protocol and data model. This will involve the development of supporting specifications, mappings, and technical enhancements required to integrate STS token functionality within DLMS Generic Companion Profiles.
In addition, the two organisations will align their development roadmaps to ensure that advancements in token technology and data exchange evolve in a coordinated and complementary manner.
Joint initiatives will also focus on market education, technical documentation, and awareness campaigns aimed at communicating the benefits of integrating STS prepayment systems with DLMS-based communication frameworks.
While electricity metering remains the primary focus, the collaboration is expected to extend into broader multi-utility applications, including water, gas, and time metering, further reinforcing the relevance of both standards in enabling flexible, scalable, and future-ready utility infrastructures.
The STS Association is expected to showcase the collaboration at Power & Water Nigeria 2026, scheduled to hold from April 28 to 30 at the Landmark Centre in Lagos.
The event will serve as a platform to engage utilities and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, with demonstrations on how the integration of STS and DLMS/COSEM is shaping the future of smart metering, alongside practical insights into implementation and deployment.
The agreement underscores a broader strategic alignment between both organisations, reinforcing their shared commitment to open standards, long-term sustainability, and the delivery of secure, interoperable solutions for utilities and consumers in an increasingly digital and connected world.
