Core Insights - The global smart meter installation is projected to exceed 1.8 billion units by the end of 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%, reaching over 3 billion units by the end of 2030 [1] - North America currently has the highest penetration rate of smart electric meters at approximately 81%, with significant growth potential in regions like Latin America, Africa, and South Asia [1] - The smart electric meter market is expected to continue leading growth due to ongoing adoption, particularly in areas with lower penetration rates, while smart water and gas meters are anticipated to grow in developed regions [1] Industry Dynamics - The smart meter market is experiencing rapid advancements in connectivity technologies, transitioning from traditional power line communication (PLC) and RF Mesh networks to low-power wide-area network (LPWA) technologies, including NB-IoT and LTE-M [6] - The market for cellular communication technologies, particularly 4G Cat1bis, is expected to grow at an approximate CAGR of 8% from 2024 to 2030, becoming a key choice for smart meters due to its performance and cost-effectiveness [6] - By 2030, cellular communication technologies are projected to support nearly two-thirds of new smart meters, especially in remote or large-scale deployment environments [6] Company Insights - Chinese smart meter manufacturers are leading the adoption of 4G Cat1bis technology, leveraging its cost-effectiveness and performance balance [7] - Major companies such as Sanxing Electric, Holley Technology, Jiangsu Linyang Energy, Suntron Technology, and GoldCard Smart Group are prominent players in the cellular meter shipment market [7] - Future deployments of 4G Cat1bis are expected to be led by Sanxing Electric and Holley Technology, while NB-IoT will see parallel growth driven by Sanxing Electric, Wasion Group, and GoldCard Smart Group [7]