UK telecoms giant BT has announced partnership with broadcasting firm Arqiva and BAE Systems’ Detica to participate in the multi-billion pound rollout of smart energy meters across the country.

The three companies will try to convince the government that they should be given rights to build and operate a new nationwide long-range radio network to communicate with the intelligent meters. It may be noted here that the UK government has plans to install 28 million smart energy meters in homes and small businesses in the coming ten years.

Commenting on the topic, BT Group strategy director Olivia Garfield said, “Smart meters will use telecommunications to deliver important environmental benefits and so BT is determined to be at the heart of the project.”

The smart energy meters will help the country in slashing energy costs and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 million tonnes a year.

According to BT’s plans, smart meters will be linked to a wireless network running across Arqiva's radio spectrum. Detica will offer security measures, while BT will run the project.

BT’s rivals such as Orange and Vodafone are also making efforts to gain a share in a project that is estimated to worth more than of £7 billion.