LoRa Alliance & OMS‑Group Standardize Smart Metering IoT Using OMS on LoRaWAN

The LoRa Alliance and OMS‑Group have announced a joint liaison to standardize smart metering IoT applications by combining the Open Metering System (OMS) language with LoRaWAN networking. The new specification simplifies integration for utilities, driving higher ROI.

“Standardization is absolutely essential to achieving massive scale for the IoT,” said Donna Moore, CEO and chairwoman of the LoRa Alliance. “Large‑scale deployments in gas, water, and electric utilities will realize greater business value when they adopt standards‑backed technologies like LoRaWAN and OMS. The interoperability and ease of deployment these standards provide reduce complexity and cost. LoRaWAN already powers smart utility applications—from metering to leak detection and automated shut‑off—and pairing it with OMS is a game‑changer for the European market, making deployments simpler, more cost‑effective, and fully interoperable with legacy meters.”

“Utilities have long relied on the OMS specification to integrate all media—gas, heat, water, and sub‑metering—into a single system,” said Andreas Bolder, board speaker of OMS‑Group. “By merging OMS’s comprehensive metering language with LoRaWAN’s robust network, we deliver further standardization and readiness for IoT.”

The collaboration delivers a standardized M‑Bus transport over LoRaWAN, and a joint proof‑of‑concept (PoC) demonstrates end‑to‑end interoperability—from data platforms to diverse OMS devices connected via identical or distinct LoRaWAN networks.

Deploying OMS over LoRaWAN enables utilities that already use OMS to reap LoRaWAN’s benefits: low power consumption, long range, deep indoor penetration—ideal for underground or concrete‑encased meters—and over‑the‑air firmware updates (FUOTA). The specification also guarantees interoperability with legacy OMS systems, freeing utilities from the high cost of building and maintaining dedicated radio infrastructure by leveraging existing third‑party LoRaWAN networks. Together, these features extend system life and deliver substantial cost savings.

Birdz, the IoT arm of Veolia Environment Group, has been a sponsor and primary contributor to the liaison. CEO Xavier Mathieu said, “This liaison and the OMS over LoRaWAN technical solution are a major achievement that brings highly efficient, standard, and interoperable smart metering solutions to utilities and municipalities.”

A joint demonstration of the OMS over LoRaWAN PoC will be showcased at Enlit, held from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, 2021, in Milan, Italy. The specification and PoC were developed by members of both organizations, including Birdz, Diehl Metering, Elvaco, Kamstrup, Mainlink, Minol‑ZENNER‑Group, and Semtech.