AT&T has partnered with smart grid networking upstart Silver Spring Networks, the latest in a line of partnerships for the telecom giant as it seeks to provide communications for smart meter networks and other smart grid systems.

The deal announced Tuesday will allow the two companies to pitch their combined services to utilities using Silver Spring for their smart meter communications, though no utility partners have yet been announced.

AT&T has similar partnerships with smart meter maker Itron, smart meter communications provider SmartSynch and distribution grid equipment maker Cooper Power Systems (see Green Light post and Your Electrical Meter Becomes a Cellphone).

It's far from the only telecommunications giant getting into smart meters and smart grid services. Verizon is working with Duke Energy and others, T-Mobile USA is working with smart meter maker Echelon, and Sprint is working with utilities including Florida Power & Light (see Echelon, T-Mobile Team on Smart Meter Contracts and Spring Stakes Smart Grid Claim).

In most cases, these telecoms are providing so-called "backhaul" communications between utility control rooms and concentrator devices that use separate networks to link to many smart meters at homes and businesses.

But in some cases telecoms are seeking to connect individual meters via their public wireless networks. That's what AT&T is working on with SmartSynch.