How an open network connectivity standard is increasing AMI data transfer speeds The Internet of Things (IOT) plays a significant role in enabling a fully interconnected smart city with intelligent infrastructure, services, devices and systems, to communicate with each other. There is no denying that a smart city is one that is effective in utilizing and optimizing digital technology and intelligent data in a meaningful way to streamline city operations, make informed decisions and deliver an improved quality of life. Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is one component of the smart city. It enables continuous two-way communications between the network and metering devices, to accurately measure and collect data that can be used for billing, and sends customer alerts and notifications, demand-response, remote service-connections and disconnections. Smart meter deployments reduce front line operators’ exposure to environmental hazards, improving worker safety while reducing time spent in the field.