Osaka, Japan, October 26, 2026 – Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) announced that Nessum*, a communication technology whose development and standardization activities it has led, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA)* as the international standard IEEE 1901-2026*.
Nessum is a communication technology that can be used over a variety of communication media (Any Media), including existing wiring such as power lines, control lines, coaxial cables, and twisted-pair cables, as well as wireless and underwater communication media. IEEE 1901-2026 is the latest comprehensive standard integrating IEEE 1901-2020*, IEEE 1901b-2021*, which enhanced authentication functions, and IEEE 1901c-2024*, which expanded the range of supported communication media. Panasonic HD and Nessum Alliance* member companies have played a central role in promoting the standardization of these technologies.
In recent years, the need for efficient networking and control of large numbers of devices has been increasing in smart grid and building automation applications, driven by decarbonization initiatives, the advancement of energy infrastructure, and growing electricity consumption from data centers associated with expanding AI demand. Nessum is gaining adoption in a wide range of energy management and infrastructure applications*, not only as a wired communication technology that leverages existing wiring, but also as a flexible technology applicable to wireless and underwater communications.
For many years, Panasonic HD has promoted technology development and international standardization activities related to the IEEE 1901 series. The company has also designed, developed, and licensed semiconductor IP cores compliant with international standards, supporting semiconductor and equipment manufacturers in developing products that conform to IEEE standards. In addition, Panasonic HD works closely with member companies of the Nessum Alliance to ensure interoperability, cultivate markets, and expand the ecosystem.
Through these efforts, Nessum technology has been adopted in a wide variety of products, including commercial HVAC systems and smart grid equipment. The cumulative shipment volume of LSI devices incorporating Nessum semiconductor IP cores has exceeded six million units*. In recent years, its application has further expanded as a communication technology supporting energy management, facility control, and the digital transformation of power infrastructure, steadily accumulating practical deployment experience and operational know-how in the market.
The newly approved IEEE 1901-2026 integrates IEEE 1901-2020, IEEE 1901b-2021, and IEEE 1901c-2024, while incorporating knowledge gained through market deployments and operational experience. Combining high-speed and long-distance communication, strong reliability and security, and adaptability to diverse communication media, it serves as a common foundation technology for the growing Nessum ecosystem already being deployed across smart grids, building automation systems, commercial HVAC equipment, surveillance cameras, and industrial devices.
In addition, Nessum has been adopted as a wiring harness for robots and construction machinery because it delivers both power and communications over a single cable, reducing wiring complexity. At the same time, advances in AI are accelerating interest in Physical AI, which enables the real-time sensing, understanding, and control of physical equipment and facilities. In the future, Nessum is expected to contribute to the realization of advanced autonomous control systems by providing a reliable communication infrastructure connecting diverse sensors, actuators, and equipment.
Panasonic HD will continue contributing to IEEE standardization activities while promoting broader global adoption of Nessum technology through licensing semiconductor IP cores compliant with international standards and collaborating with member companies of the Nessum Alliance. The company will also contribute to the digitalization and advancement of social infrastructure, including smart grids and building automation systems, helping to realize a more sustainable society.
Notes:
*1 "nessum" and its logo is a registered trademark or a pending trademark application of Panasonic Holdings Corporation in Japan and in other countries.
*2 The standards committee that formulates communication standards under IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1901/11785/
*3 Communication specifications developed under a project approved and established by the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE SA) in September 2024.
*4 An IoT communication standard that integrates IEEE 1901a-2019 into IEEE 1901-2010, enabling higher-speed and longer-distance wired communications.https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1901/7598/
*5 An IEEE 1901-2020 amendment that enhances authentication for IoT and access devices through the adoption of IEEE 802.1X mechanisms.https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1901b/10362/
*6 An IEEE 1901-2020 amendment defining Any Media communications, enabling communications not only over wired networks but also over wireless and underwater.https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/1901c/10922/
*7 An organization that succeeded and renamed the former HD-PLC Alliance on October 2, 2023, to expand the spread of Nessum, ensure communication compatibility, and advance international standardization activities.https://nessum.org/
*8 Nessum Alliance, "Nessum Adoption Expands Across Global Energy-Management Infrastructure" (August 25, 2026).https://nessum.org/media/pressrelease/20260825-01e
