Smart meter connections

ShellPees

Our supplier has been unable to connect to our new smart meter, as the meter cannot get a mobile phone signal. I am sure we aren't the only rural energy customers who live in an area with poor mobile phone signal. We read about plans for a secure, dedicated network for smart meters which will not rely on mobile phone networks - Have any timings been confirmed for that, and can push our supplier (Fuse Energy) to move us onto it sooner?

FrugaiMacDugal

Sorry can't help with your question.

If you can take a reading from meter, at least once a month, and send to your provider it will keep statements up to date.

Rodders53

Meters in the South can have external antennas fitted to the Comms unit to help with lack of signal…

Information and details on UK SMETS 2 Smart Meters

although not very long cables are supplied. Is your meter indoors or in an external meter box? What Comms hub model is fitted?

In the North/Scotland they use a secure Long Range Radio UHF signal (operated by Arqiva)… but with no external antenna options. Not available in the South.

Manual meter reads in the short term. Comms hub improvements / changes may happen in the future (as might some mobile coverage enhancements).

squirrelpie

Meters in the south also tend to have MESH capability these days, which use other nearby smart meters (well, their comms hubs) to transfer the data to somewhere that does have a mobile signal. Which lights are flashing on your comms hub (the box on top of the electricity meter)? A slow flash (one green flash every five seconds is good, other colours or speeds are not so good).

dnpark38

Are you loosing out financially by not having a smart meter?

EG.Having to be on a higher tariff.

Heedtheadvice

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881890#Comment_81881890

That is how it used to be. North and nany osrts of Scotland are now having comms hubs 4G capable as is mine fitted this year.

You can look up the quality of your mobile signal to see your signsl predicted strength. Mine was weak to poor but is working fine.

squirrelpie

That is how it used to be. North and nany osrts of Scotland are now having comms hubs 4G capable as is mine fitted this year.

I believe that is a temporary dispensation and all such hubs are to be replaced in the next six months.

Ildhund

@Heedtheadvice wrote:

North and nany osrts of Scotland are now having comms hubs 4G capable

@squirrelpie wrote:

I believe that is a temporary dispensation and all such hubs are to be replaced in the next six months.

I think there's a misunderstanding here. Last year, some consumers in Scotland had smart meters with 2G/3G cellular comms hubs fitted to replace RTS systems in places where the Arqiva LRR doesn't reach. This was a stopgap measure pending the widespread availability of the latest 4G hubs; this is now a reality, and the exchange of 4G hubs is now underway, with a deadline of June this year.

All 2G/3G hubs in the Central and South CSP region will have to be swapped out for 4G ones over the next few years as 3G services are shut down and 2G is eventually consigned to history.

Plenty of further information here and there at the DCC site.

Rodders53

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881923#Comment_81881923

I thought that was in the North rather than South, from reading smartme and other sources, but I may have missed something? It also doesn't work that well in rural areas due to the short range of such mesh networks…

I was also aware that 4G comms hubs are becoming available… and will be replacing the 2G/3G units in the fullness of time. Quite possibly only when the existing smart meters are replaced due to Calibration Certification expiring?

It may be that if the OP kicks up enough fuss with their supplier (including making a formal Complaint) that they may fit a new 4G unit, if an extra antenna doesn't work.

QrizB

I thought that was in the North rather than South, from reading smartme and other sources, but I may have missed something?

2G/3G comms hubs in the south definitely have a "mesh" LED. I've no idea how often it's actually used/enabled.

squirrelpie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81882657#Comment_81882657

I'm in the 'South' (actually the East 😀 ) and my comms hub has a MESH LED that slow flashes green. I'm in a village.

The timetable for replacing the 2G/3G hubs will be determined by the cutoff date for 2G rather than by any consideration of meter calibration, I believe.