The Global Data communications offering is yet another element of ABB's comprehensive AMR solution to provide utilities with critical hardware and software components that collects and measures data from geographically dispersed meters located throughout North America. This partnership combines Global Data's expertise in data communication technology and telemetry solutions with ABB's global presence and dominant market position in the design, manufacture and marketing of electricity meters and energy information solutions worldwide. Global Data's products and services allow end-users to securely access, collect and transmit data over public wireless and wireline networks. The company’s AMR products are installed at the meter and transmit usage data for billing, load profile and power quality applications. Global Data compliments its product offering with a seamless cellular network providing ubiquitous coverage throughout North America. This service provides remotely-located AMR devices with the ability to collect and transmit data over robust cellular networks at a cost-effective fixed rate. "We selected Global Data as a partner because of their data communications experience and strong reputation in the electric utility industry. Working closely with Global Data allows ABB to promote a full, two-way communications solution with excellent wireless coverage footprint in North America as well as in many other countries around the world. Global Data’s products and services augment ABB's current solutions for customers," said Sharon Allan, director, product management for ABB Automation’s Electricity Metering division. "Entering into this alliance with ABB further validates our technological advancements in wireless telemetry and AMR communications solutions. ABB’s leading market position in the electricity metering market, coupled with the strength of their extensive outside sales force of sales professionals in strategic markets, provides an excellent opportunity to introduce our unique communication products and services to utilities worldwide," said Lawrence E. Davis, Global Data's president and chief executive officer. ABB Electricity Metering of Raleigh, N.C., a division of ABB Automation Inc., creates information technology solutions and infrastructure for electricity meters and meter data management systems. ABB, with U.S. headquarters in Norwalk, Conn., serves customers in automation; power transmission and distribution; oil, gas and petrochemicals; building technologies; and financial services. U.S. operations employ over 16,000 people at manufacturing and other facilities in 40 states. Worldwide, ABB reported revenues of $25 billion in 1999. With novel IT applications, tailored software solutions, growing eBusiness, and a fast-expanding knowledge and service base, ABB is building links to the new economy. ABB employs about 160,000 people in more than 100 countries. Global Data, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario with operations in Signal Hill, Calif. and Amherst, N.H., designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports remote communications solutions for commercial and industrial markets. The company’s communication solutions include wireless, wireline and mobile computing devices supported by a national wireless data service and are most commonly found in markets characterized by extreme temperature and/or humidity, rugged usage and severe electrostatic discharge.