Two Companies Join To Offer Wireless Prepaid Utility Payments

Exceleron Software and SmartSynch Inc. have signed an agreement to work together to provide utility companies the ability to offer prepaid utility payments using wireless technology, the companies announced today. SmartSynch, based in Jackson, Miss., provides a wireless transmitter that utilities can install in meters at consumers' homes. Dallas-based Exceleron offers software that works with a utility's billing system to measure consumer use and deduct it from a prepaid account, Jeff Severs, Exceleron chief operating officer, tells CardLine. The agreement with SmartSynch would enable utilities to install a device on meters that use wireless phone networks to send information about consumers' use back to the utility, so the companies could offer prepaid services to consumers without installing new meters, Severs says. The Exceleron software works with utility meters that communicate automatically with the company as opposed to meters that require visits from meter readers, Severs says. The Exceleron software can work with the standard billing systems utilities use or with a prepaid card, Severs says.