For utilities managing large portfolios, time is already short. Successful metering rollouts involve far more than procurement and installation. They require structured planning, certified technology, data integration, network design, and long-term system maintenance. Starting early is no longer just a strategic advantage – in this case, it is a practical necessity.

Navigating Compliance: Options and Outcomes

There are multiple paths to meeting the directive. Some utilities may consider quicker and more interim solutions such as retrofitting existing mechanical meters with add-on modules to tick the compliance box or installing new mechanical or hybrid meters that are cheaper but less accurate and shorter-lived. While these approaches may meet the minimum compliance criteria, they often result in higher long-term costs, shorter device lifespans, increased maintenance workloads, and limited data capabilities that restrict operational growth.

In contrast, modern ultrasonic smart meters offer a future-ready foundation. Utilities that choose this route are not only preparing for regulatory alignment but also gaining access to high-resolution consumption data, network reliability, and system-wide efficiency. The long-term return on investment becomes clear: reduced water consumption through accurate unit-level monitoring and early leak detection, alongside lower operational costs due to fewer on-site visits and minimal maintenance requirements.

Axioma Metering: Built for Long-Term Performance

For Axioma Metering, compliance is a foundation, not a finish line. We design our meters to go beyond current standards, ensuring lasting performance, sustainability, and reliability for the decades ahead.

Our flagship water meter, the Qalcosonic W1, is the result of decades of experience in ultrasonic technology and a commitment to continuous innovation. Already deployed in large-scale utility projects across Germany, Italy, Oman and other parts of the world, the W1 water meter offers:

·         High-accuracy ultrasonic measurement with no moving parts, ensuring long-term stability

·         Leak detection as low as 1 liter per hour, enabling early intervention and water loss prevention

·         Long battery life with up to 16 years in real-world conditions

·         IP68 protection, engineered to perform in harsh environments

·         Open communication protocols, including NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and wireless M-Bus for seamless integration into existing or future advanced metering infrastructure

Germany has already taken ultrasonic technology seriously, with 500,000 Axioma meters installed empowering over 250 utility companies with real-time meter data, advanced leak detection for reducing non-revenue water, and improved billing accuracy. (case study link)

Italy has also stepped forward, with more than one million water meters deployed across the country, supporting over 20 utility companies with smart metering capabilities. These examples show that smart meters are being chosen thoughtfully by those who are planning ahead. (case study link)

Unlocking the Full Smart Metering Solution with Mainlink

While Axioma meters ensure the highest precision and reliability of data collection in the field, the full value of smart metering comes to life when this data is intelligently managed and transformed into actionable insights. This is where Mainlink, Axioma’s sister company, extends the capabilities of our meters through advanced data management and connectivity solutions. Together, we form a seamless ecosystem – from precise measurement to smart decision-making.

Mainlink’s platform empowers utility providers with:

·         Advanced analytics for resource usage monitoring, comparison, and analysis

·         Real-time alerts for leaks, bursts, freezes, and network outages

·         Accurate consumption data for transparent billing

·         Resident-facing mobile access, empowering users to consume more sustainably

Utilities that deploy Axioma meters with Mainlink’s smart metering infrastructure gain a fully integrated, regulation-ready ecosystem. It’s not just a meter and a reading – it’s a complete foundation for scalable smart utility management.

In Germany, this joint solution is already fully integrated. Our client explains:

“Our partnership with Mainlink & Axioma has enabled us to not only offer cutting-edge water and heat meters but to supply German utilities with a holistic solution to permanently monitor their meters and pipe networks, therefore helping them to progressively reduce water losses. Simultaneously, by providing additional options like mobile apps for end users we can meet evolving market requirements, while making our meters' technology accessible to every single resident.”
  — Ernst Heitland GmbH & Co. KG, Head of Smart Meter Communication

The Risks of Waiting

Delaying decisions and failing to deploy remotely readable meters puts utilities at risk of penalties or sanctions, depending on how strictly each EU country enforces the Directive. Falling behind compliance may lead to regulatory pressure, including mandatory retrofit orders or operational restrictions.

Compressed timelines often result in rushed deployments, limited vendor choice, and fragmented systems. More importantly, utilities risk missing the opportunity to implement a unified, high-performance architecture that delivers value far beyond the minimum compliance threshold.

Those who begin early benefit from structured implementation, reduced risk of penalties, and access to proven technology partners with extensive deployment experience. They also unlock measurable operational advantages, including significantly lower consumption and reduced day-to-day operating costs.

Designed for the Long Run

Our technology roadmap focuses on long-term stability and continuous evolution ensuring that today’s deployment remains compatible with tomorrow’s needs.

“At Axioma, we focus on long-term value. We develop meters and systems that address the real needs of our clients and ensure they deliver measurable value — so that our utility partners can invest with confidence and achieve a return on their investment, rather than face continuous spending”
  — Ignas Vosylius, CEO, Axioma Metering

Together with Mainlink, we offer more than a compliance path. We offer a full-scale solution that transforms how utilities manage resources with accuracy, transparency, and confidence.

Meet Us at Enlit Europe

Whether your utility is already shaping its compliance strategy or exploring the next generation of metering solutions, we invite you to meet us at Enlit Europe 2025:

• Bilbao, Spain
• 18 - 20 November
• Booth 1.H70

We’ll be showcasing our latest products and real-world project implementations from across Europe, as well as presenting our Full Metering Solution – from the smart ultrasonic meter to the Mainhive data management platform.

Let’s explore how to turn 2027 from a deadline into a milestone!

Register for a FREE Expo Pass or get a 25% discount on the Summit Pass here:
https://enlit-europe-2025.reg.buzz/?exhibitor-inviter=uab-axioma-metering