My smart meters have not worked for a year with British Gas

Chrysalis

Dolor said:

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

ariarnia said:

DazmanL said:

Now they've told me that it won't be fixed until July 2023 and its a nationwide issue that affects SMETS 1 and 2 meters (which surprises me). Earlier in December they booked an appointment to replace my smets 1 meters with smets 2 but yesterday i got a call from someone from the complaints team that the appointment would be cancelled as there was no point in replacing the meters, as SMETS-2 is also affected and its all to do with a software issue and was advised to keep sending them meter readings using some special manual form they've now made (as smart meter users usually cannot use the regular form to even send readings). 

Has anyone else experienced this as I'm not sure I buy this is a SMETS 2 issue as well as SMETS1 considering all the issues they've had with smets-1 nor can I find any public communications from BG alerting people to this "nationwide issue". Note the meters were installed by BG and worked fine for a year prior to them going dark last January.

i would think it depends on what the problem actually is.

the big problem with version 1 meters is when switching the gaining supplier can't get access to the data from the old supplier. and the fix is an update that adds them to a central national database that all suppliers can access. version 2 meters dont all have the same problem as there added to the database when installed (but there can be a problem on installation that stops an individual version 2 from being added. but both the version 1 and 2 problems are normally would be from install or a change of supplier triggering the problem. not just some random time a year later). 

if thats the software update the BG person was talking about then then that was supposed to be completed by the end of this year. but it could have been delayed (everything else has been it seems). 

i dont know what's supposed to happen by mid 2023. i remember reading something about 4g and 5g communication hubs being available from 2023 because there shutting down 3g. but that also doesn't feel like its the problem. 

@SparkyGrad is clever about how the industry and tech works so maybe they can help?

Smart meter communications hubs use 2G  and there is action in hand to replace all comms hubs with 4G connectivity. As far as I know, there are no nationwide issues with SMETS 1 or SMETS2 meters. My SMETS2 meters have been happily sending 30 minute data for the past 18 months. Without knowing what the specific issue is, it is impossible to comment. Suppliers are not supposed to replace SMETS1 meters.

Curious why are they not supposed to replace SMETS1 and why are they using 2G? 2G is for the range?

Because there is an ongoing programme run by the DCC to ‘enrol and adopt’ SMETS1 meters on to the DCC network. Over 10M SMETS1 meters are connected to the DCC Network and are supplier agnostic.

‘SMETS1 meters are now being moved onto the national communications network, run by the Data Communications Company (DCC), so that consumers regain and keep smart services if they switch supplier. Meters are being enrolled remotely, without consumers needing to take any action, and priority is being given to those which have temporarily lost smart functionality (these meters are referred to as “operating in traditional mode"). SMETS2 meters are connected to the DCC’s network from the point of installation, so are already compatible between energy suppliers.’ (Source BEIS)

The answer to your question on the mobile network is simply one of when the programme started.  2G was the network in use with no plans to close it down. The DCC has until the early 2030s to replace comms hubs: by then many of the early comms hubs will be end-of-life.

PS People complain on this forum about standing charges. Every smart meter installation is paid for via standing charges.

So in short to save money probably under pressure to due to the way its funded.

The problem is what you described is clearly not happening to everyone as there is people sitting with meters in dumb mode.  I personally wouldnt be happy if I was expected to use a broken smart meter for the next 8 years,  Is part of the reason this remote fix/upgrade is at snail pace due to how slow 2G is, does it take a few months to download the new firmware or something?  Or is it the case certain meters are bricked with no plan how to deal with that situation?

[Deleted User]

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

ariarnia said:

DazmanL said:

Now they've told me that it won't be fixed until July 2023 and its a nationwide issue that affects SMETS 1 and 2 meters (which surprises me). Earlier in December they booked an appointment to replace my smets 1 meters with smets 2 but yesterday i got a call from someone from the complaints team that the appointment would be cancelled as there was no point in replacing the meters, as SMETS-2 is also affected and its all to do with a software issue and was advised to keep sending them meter readings using some special manual form they've now made (as smart meter users usually cannot use the regular form to even send readings). 

Has anyone else experienced this as I'm not sure I buy this is a SMETS 2 issue as well as SMETS1 considering all the issues they've had with smets-1 nor can I find any public communications from BG alerting people to this "nationwide issue". Note the meters were installed by BG and worked fine for a year prior to them going dark last January.

i would think it depends on what the problem actually is.

the big problem with version 1 meters is when switching the gaining supplier can't get access to the data from the old supplier. and the fix is an update that adds them to a central national database that all suppliers can access. version 2 meters dont all have the same problem as there added to the database when installed (but there can be a problem on installation that stops an individual version 2 from being added. but both the version 1 and 2 problems are normally would be from install or a change of supplier triggering the problem. not just some random time a year later). 

if thats the software update the BG person was talking about then then that was supposed to be completed by the end of this year. but it could have been delayed (everything else has been it seems). 

i dont know what's supposed to happen by mid 2023. i remember reading something about 4g and 5g communication hubs being available from 2023 because there shutting down 3g. but that also doesn't feel like its the problem. 

@SparkyGrad is clever about how the industry and tech works so maybe they can help?

Smart meter communications hubs use 2G  and there is action in hand to replace all comms hubs with 4G connectivity. As far as I know, there are no nationwide issues with SMETS 1 or SMETS2 meters. My SMETS2 meters have been happily sending 30 minute data for the past 18 months. Without knowing what the specific issue is, it is impossible to comment. Suppliers are not supposed to replace SMETS1 meters.

Curious why are they not supposed to replace SMETS1 and why are they using 2G? 2G is for the range?

Because there is an ongoing programme run by the DCC to ‘enrol and adopt’ SMETS1 meters on to the DCC network. Over 10M SMETS1 meters are connected to the DCC Network and are supplier agnostic.

‘SMETS1 meters are now being moved onto the national communications network, run by the Data Communications Company (DCC), so that consumers regain and keep smart services if they switch supplier. Meters are being enrolled remotely, without consumers needing to take any action, and priority is being given to those which have temporarily lost smart functionality (these meters are referred to as “operating in traditional mode"). SMETS2 meters are connected to the DCC’s network from the point of installation, so are already compatible between energy suppliers.’ (Source BEIS)

The answer to your question on the mobile network is simply one of when the programme started.  2G was the network in use with no plans to close it down. The DCC has until the early 2030s to replace comms hubs: by then many of the early comms hubs will be end-of-life.

PS People complain on this forum about standing charges. Every smart meter installation is paid for via standing charges.

So in short to save money probably under pressure to due to the way its funded.

The problem is what you described is clearly not happening to everyone as there is people sitting with meters in dumb mode.  I personally wouldnt be happy if I was expected to use a broken smart meter for the next 8 years,  Is part of the reason this remote fix/upgrade is at snail pace due to how slow 2G is, does it take a few months to download the new firmware or something?  Or is it the case certain meters are bricked with no plan how to deal with that situation?

The reason that hubs are being replaced is because the 2G network is being closed down. If you read this article, there is a large section on smart metering and 2G:

https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/

As far as I know, meter firmware updates are being rolled out quarterly to each meter. Meter and IHD manufacturers are responsible for all firmware updates. The DCC is responsible for all SMETS2 and adopted SMETS1 communications hubs. You might well ask: what is the supplier responsible for? The answer is not a lot.

DazmanL

Dolor said:

DazmanL said:

Plus to be clear the IHD does not work either, it shows a unable to communicate with the meter message.

The DCC is responsible for all communication hubs not individual suppliers. What is the make and model of your communications hub? 

its a Trilliant communications hub SEAP-2001-V hooked up to a landis+gyr E470/G370 meter set.

vic_sf49

My meters stopped communicating with BG in June. They gave me many different excuses as to why, and that they'd "look into it".

Switched to Octopus, and they started "working" immediately. Hmmm.

Smets2 meters though. It does seem to be a common problem with/for BG.

[Deleted User]

DazmanL said:

Dolor said:

DazmanL said:

Plus to be clear the IHD does not work either, it shows a unable to communicate with the meter message.

The DCC is responsible for all communication hubs not individual suppliers. What is the make and model of your communications hub? 

its a Trilliant communications hub SEAP-2001-V hooked up to a landis+gyr E470/G370 meter set.

From other forums, I believe that there is an ongoing issue with this model of communications hub that only the DCC and Trilliant can resolve. The DCC is non-customer facing: that is, it only deals with energy suppliers.

Chrysalis

Dolor said:

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

Chrysalis said:

Dolor said:

ariarnia said:

DazmanL said:

Now they've told me that it won't be fixed until July 2023 and its a nationwide issue that affects SMETS 1 and 2 meters (which surprises me). Earlier in December they booked an appointment to replace my smets 1 meters with smets 2 but yesterday i got a call from someone from the complaints team that the appointment would be cancelled as there was no point in replacing the meters, as SMETS-2 is also affected and its all to do with a software issue and was advised to keep sending them meter readings using some special manual form they've now made (as smart meter users usually cannot use the regular form to even send readings). 

Has anyone else experienced this as I'm not sure I buy this is a SMETS 2 issue as well as SMETS1 considering all the issues they've had with smets-1 nor can I find any public communications from BG alerting people to this "nationwide issue". Note the meters were installed by BG and worked fine for a year prior to them going dark last January.

i would think it depends on what the problem actually is.

the big problem with version 1 meters is when switching the gaining supplier can't get access to the data from the old supplier. and the fix is an update that adds them to a central national database that all suppliers can access. version 2 meters dont all have the same problem as there added to the database when installed (but there can be a problem on installation that stops an individual version 2 from being added. but both the version 1 and 2 problems are normally would be from install or a change of supplier triggering the problem. not just some random time a year later). 

if thats the software update the BG person was talking about then then that was supposed to be completed by the end of this year. but it could have been delayed (everything else has been it seems). 

i dont know what's supposed to happen by mid 2023. i remember reading something about 4g and 5g communication hubs being available from 2023 because there shutting down 3g. but that also doesn't feel like its the problem. 

@SparkyGrad is clever about how the industry and tech works so maybe they can help?

Smart meter communications hubs use 2G  and there is action in hand to replace all comms hubs with 4G connectivity. As far as I know, there are no nationwide issues with SMETS 1 or SMETS2 meters. My SMETS2 meters have been happily sending 30 minute data for the past 18 months. Without knowing what the specific issue is, it is impossible to comment. Suppliers are not supposed to replace SMETS1 meters.

Curious why are they not supposed to replace SMETS1 and why are they using 2G? 2G is for the range?

Because there is an ongoing programme run by the DCC to ‘enrol and adopt’ SMETS1 meters on to the DCC network. Over 10M SMETS1 meters are connected to the DCC Network and are supplier agnostic.

‘SMETS1 meters are now being moved onto the national communications network, run by the Data Communications Company (DCC), so that consumers regain and keep smart services if they switch supplier. Meters are being enrolled remotely, without consumers needing to take any action, and priority is being given to those which have temporarily lost smart functionality (these meters are referred to as “operating in traditional mode"). SMETS2 meters are connected to the DCC’s network from the point of installation, so are already compatible between energy suppliers.’ (Source BEIS)

The answer to your question on the mobile network is simply one of when the programme started.  2G was the network in use with no plans to close it down. The DCC has until the early 2030s to replace comms hubs: by then many of the early comms hubs will be end-of-life.

PS People complain on this forum about standing charges. Every smart meter installation is paid for via standing charges.

So in short to save money probably under pressure to due to the way its funded.

The problem is what you described is clearly not happening to everyone as there is people sitting with meters in dumb mode.  I personally wouldnt be happy if I was expected to use a broken smart meter for the next 8 years,  Is part of the reason this remote fix/upgrade is at snail pace due to how slow 2G is, does it take a few months to download the new firmware or something?  Or is it the case certain meters are bricked with no plan how to deal with that situation?

The reason that hubs are being replaced is because the 2G network is being closed down. If you read this article, there is a large section on smart metering and 2G:

https://hyphabit.io/2g-network-closure-uk/

As far as I know, meter firmware updates are being rolled out quarterly to each meter. Meter and IHD manufacturers are responsible for all firmware updates. The DCC is responsible for all SMETS2 and adopted SMETS1 communications hubs. You might well ask: what is the supplier responsible for? The answer is not a lot.

Thanks for this Dolor , But do you know what the policy for bricked meters? Does it exist?