Murfreesboro initiates $685,000 cellular AMI migration to replace sunsetting fixed network

Murfreesboro initiates $685,000 cellular AMI migration to replace sunsetting fixed networkThe Tennessee municipality is kicking off a multi-year strategy to transition its 25,000-meter network to cellular endpoints, utilizing in-house staff to deploy the first 5,000 units.

City Council approved a $685,000 sole-source contract with United Systems and Software for 5,000 cellular endpoints.

The procurement marks the first phase of a migration away from the city's existing fixed AMI network, which will lose vendor support by 2035.

The new endpoints will transmit data directly to the utility's cloud-based Temetra software, eliminating the need for data repeaters and collectors.

The utility plans to replace the remaining endpoints over the next five to six years using its own personnel.

The City of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is embarking on a multi-year transition of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system, shifting from a fixed-network architecture to a cellular platform. During a September 3 City Council meeting, officials approved a $685,000 sole-source contract with Kentucky-based United Systems and Software, Inc. for the purchase of 5,000 ECW-1700-01 500W cellular endpoints. The units, priced at $137 each, will replace existing 100W electronic read transmitters (ERTs). The procurement initiates a planned migration strategy for the Murfreesboro Water Resources Department to upgrade its entire network of over 25,000 meters. The utility originally deployed its fixed-network AMI system between 2015 and 2017, installing more than 26,000 meters alongside over 50 data repeaters and six data collectors. However, the technology provider, Itron, plans to retire its fixed-based network support by 2035. By migrating to a cellular network, the utility will eventually eliminate the intermediary hardware currently required to collect and transmit consumption data. Staff member Valerie Smith told the council that the utility plans to execute the endpoint replacements using internal personnel to spread out the capital impact. "We want to do it in stages so it's not just a huge purchase," Smith said. "We are trying to do a 5-year implementation, knowing that it may take longer than 5 years, trying to do it with our in-house staff." The new cellular endpoints will transmit consumption data directly to the utility's cloud-hosted Temetra software, a reading platform the city upgraded to earlier in 2026. The software integration allows customers to log into a portal to monitor their usage, set budgets, and receive alerts. Smith also noted that the new cellular endpoints will interface with the utility's mobile units to track move-ins, move-outs, and water availability. The initial $685,000 equipment purchase is funded through the utility's FY27 AMI Capital Expenditures Budget. In a related move at the same meeting, the council also approved a contract amendment with Itron for ongoing software and hardware support through June 2027.