The ultimate prize of this level of cooperation and synergy would be a combined smart electricity meter and the ONT (Optical Network Terminator). While this is an extremely ambitious goal it is, at the same time, perhaps the greatest opportunity to make this trans-sector operation work.
Cooperation between these two industry sectors could see the broadband infrastructure provider locating the ONT close to the meter. Through the meter connection the electricity company would be able to provide the broadband provider with a power supply and thus enable an always-on supply that could not be turned off (legally) by the homeowner. Such an arrangement is absolutely critical for the delivery of reliable and secure essential services, particularly in the context of future trans-sector uses of the ONT for services such as e-health, public safety, etc.
There is also the potential to leverage the in-home wiring to reticulate high-speed broadband into the house so that retail services can be accessed from any powerpoint within the residence.
If cooperation cannot be achieved the utilities should still try to ensure that the ONT is located adjacent to the meter box. Anywhere else and it will be too costly for the energy companies to later use the broadband networks for their smart grid requirements, as the installation costs afterwards would be too high.
Even if, despite positive cooperation, an ambitious ONT/meter combination cannot in the end be achieved, in the process of trying to do so the industry will set the bar, lowering it to arrive at a still beneficial outcome. Nevertheless, the minimum result should be that the ONT is powered on the supply side of a customer’s mains switch – this would at least leave the door open for future synergies.