Trying to get a smart meter but can't get a mobile data signal in my building, is that a problem?

Leeroy909

Hi folks, so I'm looking into getting a smart meter installed for my flat. However, I'm worried that it won't be able to send the data to the provider and will be useless because it's impossible to get a mobile data signal in this building. I understand that smart meters transmit meter readings on that network.

My provider has confirmed that I should be able to get coverage in my area, and indeed as soon as I step outside of my building it's fine, but I don't want to mess around with setting up an appointment and waiting in all day only for the engineer to tell me they can't install it because there's no signal, which is a waste of everyone's time.

I can't see any other smart meters in the meter room, so maybe other people have tried to get a smart meter and not been able to. Is it correct that smart meters transmit data on the same network as my mobile data and that if I can't get mobile data in the building I won't be able to get a smart meter?

MikeJXE

Apparently mobile signal has nothing to do with smart meter connectivity 

The crunch seems to be if the gas meter is too far from the electric meter

[Deleted User]

Hi,

you mention a meter room, is that stuck in a basement?

Another problem might be that meter might not communicate with IHD, in house display.

dunstonh

Some info here:
https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html

We have had two attempts by suppliers to install smart meters, and both failed due to no Telefónica signal.

[Deleted User]

MikeJXE said:

Apparently mobile signal has nothing to do with smart meter connectivity 

The crunch seems to be if the gas meter is too far from the electric meter

Not true: the comms hub has to establish either a mobile connection (Telefonica/O2) or a UHF radio connection with the DCC wide area network. For the OP, smart meters DO NOT use your mobile network or wifi connection for security reasons.

The ‘crunch’ as you put it is the Home Area Network that the comms hub radiates. Both the IHD and the gas meter uses the HAN to connect to the comms hub.

The industry now has solutions to both these issues. Supplies can fit either a dual-band comms hub or go for an ALT-HAN solution.

 

Leeroy909

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

you mention a meter room, is that stuck in a basement?

Another problem might be that meter might not communicate with IHD, in house display.

@frugalmacdugal Thanks, it's not in the basement, but I've tried my mobile in there and I can't get any data in the meter room. I'm not too fussed about the IHD, only concerned with whether the meter can communicate with the provider so they will install it.

dunstonh said:

Some info here:
https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html

We have had two attempts by suppliers to install smart meters, and both failed due to no Telefónica signal.

Thanks @dunstonh

[Deleted User] said:

MikeJXE said:

Apparently mobile signal has nothing to do with smart meter connectivity 

The crunch seems to be if the gas meter is too far from the electric meter

Not true: the comms hub has to establish either a mobile connection (Telefonica/O2) or a UHF radio connection with the DCC wide area network. For the OP, smart meters DO NOT use your mobile network or wifi connection for security reasons.

The ‘crunch’ as you put it is the Home Area Network that the comms hub radiates. Both the IHD and the gas meter uses the HAN to connect to the comms hub.

The industry now has solutions to both these issues. Supplies can fit either a dual-band comms hub or go for an ALT-HAN solution.

Thanks @Dolor

I understand that the smart meter will not use my mobile network or wifi, my thinking was that if the meter room is a deadspot for mobile data, surely the meter would not be able to connect to the wide area network either? How would I be able to check whether it can communicate by UHF radio connection? As I mentioned, I don't want to waste time setting up an appointment and waiting in all day if they don't end up doing it.

I'm not fussed about the IHD, I'm only concerned about whether the meter can communicate with the supplier.

Rodders53

UHF radio only applies in some areas of UK (North & Scotland)
Mobile phone signal only applies is some areas of UK (South of the above area).

https://www.smartme.co.uk/smets-2.html

michaels

Although they use their own mobile network it basically coincides with O2 network availability as it uses the same towers.  There are some online network maps but these are pretty crude.  If you have no O2 signal at the meter installation location, odds are you won't be able to have a smart meter.

AlexMac

Don’t overthink and don’t panic. We have rubbish Mobile signal in our neighbourhood (bleddy amenity societies get 4r5ey about new masts in our conservation area!) and I have no signal at all indoors (luckily I still have the landline that I used when I was a young dinosaur). 

But for all but a couple of months late last year, when, (as I just said in another post) one of my two meters simply went silent and didn’t send data to Mission Kontrol, the two Smart meters have worked perfectly since installation four or more years ago. 

So as I’m a nerd (as I also just said in another post!). I can monitor my usage and costs daily with the depressing reminders that costs ( for the same, or less, usage ) have tripled in two years. Thankz Vladimir?

so let em worry about it; the worst that will happen is that the new Smartypants meter’s digital display is a bit trickier to read than the old analogue ones if you do have to submit yer own

Leeroy909

Thanks for responses everyone, it appears that the smart meters actually use long range radio in my area.