The Home Gateway Initiative or HGI (News - Alert) announced the agenda for its Chicago meeting to be held from September 6-9, 2011. It made special mention of the discussion that was slated for September 7, 2011 with executives from the ZigBee Alliance.
HGI, founded in 2004 by nine telecom operators, is a member-led organization devoted to translating broadband service providers’ service plans into published technology requirements for home enablers.
Discussions that were left unfinished at the special HGI meeting on Home Energy Management (HEM) in March, 2011 in Italy are expected to be continued at the Chicago meeting.
In addition, the meeting will also feature items that deal with enhancing the broadband experience and Next-Generation communications. Home networking and power state management of home network connected devices is also expected to figure.
According to company officials, HGI’s Energy Task Force is expected to discuss with ZigBee executives the latest developments in ZigBee Smart Energy and Home Automation and the application of ZigBee standards to HEM services.
In a press release, Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance, said, “ZigBee has accumulated vast experience through the development of our ZigBee Smart Energy and ZigBee Home Automation standards, and this work will facilitate HGI’s work on their Home Energy Management services.”
The discussion will be immensely significant in the light of the fact that HGI is about to translate
use-cases and overall architecture for HEM as already agreed upon by service and broadband providers.
Oliver Lamparter, Chairman of HGI’s Energy Task Force, said: “HGI’s requirements work on HEM will enable broadband customers to better manage and control their household’s energy consumption.”
The Chicago meeting will also be focusing on preparing the 2011 Home Gateway (News 
- Alert) test event, scheduled for Q4, 2011.
In related news, The HGI has published a landmark document which brings service providers closer to making more next generation applications a reality.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.
Mini Swamy is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
