What does ISO mean in TELECOM

ISO stands for Independent System Operator.

An ISO ensures reliable and secure operations of the electricity transmission grid by monitoring supply and demand fluctuations, maintaining system security, facilitating open access to markets and providing forecasting of usage patterns. The ISO also oversees day-to-day operations such as scheduling and dispatch of power, as well as managing market settlements and other services associated with operating an electrical grid.

ISOs typically provide services such as monitoring energy production, coordinating energy transfers between different jurisdictions, facilitating trading between buyers and sellers of electricity, resolving disputes between market participants, forecasting energy demand, responding to power outages or emergencies on the system grid, offering reliability studies and upgrades to maintain stability on the grid, conducting customer service support functions such as answering questions related to billing or other issues related to use of the grid.

It is important that an ISO operates independently in order to properly manage the electrical grid without bias towards any particular party. An independent operator eliminates any potential issues regarding discrimination or unfair advantage that can arise when one specific party has control over decisions made within a regulated market. By providing impartial oversight of the entire system without favoring one party over another, ISOs are able to ensure fair access by all parties while providing reliable services on the electrical network.