<p>The internet is full of reports that in 2020, it is expected that 26 billion Internet of things devices, that includes your smart watches, washing machines, refrigerators and smart energy meters will be connected to the Internet. </p>

<p>WiFi rollout is gaining momentum and the speed is improving through <a href="http://www.projectisizwe.org/">Project Isizwe</a> – which sees the City of Tshwane providing free WiFi to thousands of surrounding areas even townships being connected.</p>

<p>While they are enjoying free internet WIFI, companies like T-Systems and <a href="http://www.pmt.co.za/page-products.php">Power Meter Technics</a> are busy designing and testing smart meters. According to <a href="http://www.t-systems.co.za/solutions/smart-metering-solutions/1372084">T-Systems</a> “South African municipalities and its Power utility, Eskom, are owed billions by its consumers. It is a precarious financial situation that threatens the viability of power distribution and hinders the future growth of the utility and the economy. The net effect for consumers will be homes and businesses that are plunged into cycles of rolling blackouts – particularly during the winter months when demand surges.”</p>
<img src="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/141020115707-africapower1-horizontal-large-gallery.jpg" align="middle">


<p>T-systems further highlights the current situation with traditional ways of distributing and billing for electricity:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type:square">
<li>inaccurate billing data;</li> 
<li>meter bridging and tampering;</li> 
<li>ghost vending;</li> 
<li>unmetered connections and</li> 
<li>Illegal connections.</li> 
</ul>

<p>Upgrading the already existing meter just to make them smart, well IoT compatible with the existing rolled out internet WIFi may mean the answer to the current situation. </p>

<img src="http://www.landisgyr.com/webfoo/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015-09-08_09-16-02.png" align="middle">

<p>Imagine every house-hold being able to simply log into a mobile app or a website, view its current electricity usage, past usage, and draw up its current bill which can be compared with the municipal claimed usage bill.</p>

<img src="http://www.pmt.co.za/images/menu-mol.png" align="middle">

<p>Municipality being able to monitor excessive usage of electricity. Excessive usage which maybe the results of meter bridging and tempering or illegal connections.</p>

<img src="http://www.refusesmartmeters.com/smart%20meter%20sign-1.jpg" align="middle">

<h3>While we enjoying and happy with the roll out of this free internet WIFI, are we ready for the catch? Are we ready for IoT? Is it a good thing? Let’s wait and see </h3>
<h4>Published this blog through free internet WIFI.</h4>