Cellnet  has entered a new 15-year expansion contract with Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based We Energies, a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cellnet and We Energies will expand the fixed-network advanced metering program with the addition of 201,000 new electric and gas customers throughout service areas in Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, and portions of Washington and Ozaukee counties. The new contract also provides for the addition of about 4000 new commercial gas customers in the Milwaukee area.

The contract represents the fourth system expansion since the program started in 2001. We Energies a large, U.S. provider of on-demand, advanced metering services to its customers.

Upon installation of the latest expansion, We Energies' fixed-network advanced metering program with Cellnet will cover more than 1,530,000 electric and gas customers throughout its service territory. During 2006, Cellnet and We Energies installed an average of more than 23,000 new electric and gas customers a month under the program.

We Energies Vice President of Customer Service Joan Shafer said, "Our smart metering program is an important component of our long-term strategy to continually improve the services and information we provide our customers." In October 2006 Chartwell awarded We Energies its Best Practice Award for utility customer service in recognition of We Energies' 'We Care Program.'