My address can't have a smart meter - how to access off peak deals

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967154#Comment_81967154

If its historic refusals - have you asked about not only old LRR but maybe a new 4G option.

The rules only changed last summer - suppliers were not - but obviously some did - fit 2G in the Arqiva LRR areas before and I am not sure how many suppliers are actively rolling them out.

Other suppliers though - including Octopus - were known to try and fit 2g cellular after repeated LRR hub failure attempts - several in one case that made it into media here in Scotland - kind of against DCC / Ofgem - but these were going to stop working in Jan - and now unless coverage plans extended again - July 2026.

There might though be a bit of another meter fitter rush on right now replacing iirc was it at one point last autumn in some articles a surprisingly large estimated 46,000 "out of region 2g" with 4g hubs in failing Arqiva LRR "no spots"

Ildhund

A bit longer term, perhaps, but VWAN hubs should become more widely available over the next year or two to help in cases where neither 4G nor LRR will reach: New technology helping more homes connect to Britain’s smart meter network | Smart DCC

I'm surprised, though, that the mesh solution isn't more popular. Perhaps it's because the meters involved have to have special hubs, and that could require different suppliers to cooperate.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967184#Comment_81967184

Genuine question - is that available on LRR and cellular networks ?

I know some - not all looking at this - but now very old table - cellular hubs have the so called MESH mode - which I think is the meter to meter to dcc relay option - do the Arqiva LRR hubs have an equivalent ?

Other posts suggests only cellular and this table only likes of SKu2 and 3 have it - but curiously sku1 models appear to have a mesh led in other photos - including in the same document (maybe just to standardise parts/ components though).

https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/media/4865/c-work-dcc-media-2348-comms_hub_product_range_v13_2017-06-26.pdf

Qyburn

LRR comms hubs don't have a mesh function. Not that this stopped an Octopus rep blaming lack of near neighbours for problems at our place.

muzzie2

Wow, lots of advice from all you of you. Thanks! Apologies for not responding earlier, but have been away from the computer. There's a lot for me to read and try to understand here. (Technical numbskull, I'm afraid)

To answer the questions that I can….. the most recent refusals were Octopus who said 'no' 12 months ago, and British Gas twice - when I switched last year and again about 6 months ago. I'm with British Gas at the moment.

Regarding wifi signals and general reception here….

My Broadband and land line are supplied by Plusnet. Fast, but not superfast as when BT was upgrading the village, they didn't put in a cabinet close enough for the last few properties at the end of the road.

Mobile phone signal is non-existent in some rooms, and in others usable for various messaging services but voice phone calls are usually impossible, even with wi-fi calling enabled.

My old fashioned land line is used by everyone.

I know that I sound as if I'm still living in the 1990's but it's not because I want to!!!

I will spend time reading all of your suggestions and will definitely have another go with British Gas on Monday.

Thank you, everyone.

Reed_Richards

If you take a (small) TV aerial (and a long cable), can you position the aerial in the vicinity of your meter cupboard and get pictures on your TV? The LRR transceivers are usually co-located with TV transmitters so if there is TV reception there is probably also enough signal for LRR.

Qyburn

Mobile phone signal is non-existent in some rooms

Have you checked Vodafone coverage at the meter location?

Heedtheadvice

I suggest, if you have a mobile phone on 4G to download one of the signal checkers. There are plenty and one I use is Network Cell Info Lite.

With that you can get a quantitative measure of signal quality at locations by your meter. That will tell you if a 4G hub is feasible.

I am further North than you but UW had Calisen ( installer) fit a 4G hub. It works fine even though the 4G signal is in the range weak to poor.

If the supplier can be persuaded an external antenna, when properly sited, improves matters significantly.

If your current supplier refuses the above change supplier!

Reed_Richards

My LRR comms hub stopped working last year and I did a lot of research into possible fixes. Comms hubs that use the mobile phone signal were just becoming readily available last September but I'm pretty sure these could not take an external aerial. There may have been developments since then but I doubt it. Things are different down south; I wouldn't heed advice from anyone who isn't certain that what they advise is feasible.

Heedtheadvice

Oh Doubting Reed, or should that be doubting Thomas? But I agree that advice should have certainty.

OK, don't take my word for it as an engineer...

A quick net search would have shown you that those hubs are a possibility, quote

" Several types of smart meter hubs and related devices feature an SMA connector for external antennas, primarily used to boost weak WAN (cellular) signals in UK SMETS2 smart meter installations.

Here are the primary options:

SKU2 Communications Hub (DCC): These specific UK smart meter communication hubs include an SMA port for an external aerial (antenna). They are installed by suppliers when signal strength is poor, often replacing standard SKU1 hubs that lack this port."

However I would not follow your advice regarding a TV antenna and received signal being an indicator of the LRR reception.

The transmitters (LRR and terrestrial TV) are often collocated but at different heights on masts and more importantly vastly different frequencies thus being affected differently by terrain and receiving antenna location too.