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

Heedtheadvice

@Reed, I think we have a miscommunication problem.

Certainly on my part I misunderstood that you wanted a picture of my hub with an antenna connected. ( had read you post too quickly as I had an urgent call!). I have not needed an external antenna so do not have that version.

I was offering to give you a pic of my 4G hub as proof of the fact that they are installed in the North.Here it is

20260419_212329.jpg

The Toshiba versions that have antenna capability have a cover over the sma connectors top left.

You want to know if they are available as a standard offering. That I cannot answer and, like @QrizB's and @ildhund's posts, the DCC seems vague as to the decision process to get good comms and it seems down to just what the supplier is willing to provide. No doubt that will be down to convenience , stock availability, cost and the pressure to roll out numbers.

Nevertheless there are 4G hubs with antenna capability but 'standard' ( as in common installs ) they probably are not. They ought to be where required.

The gov't imposes requirements for suppliers to 'take all reasonable steps' to get working systems of smart metering. I suggest the suppliers and many of us might differ in what those steps ought to be! Certainly ( according to the smartme website ) 4g hubs and antennas are available for UK wide use and the implication ( IMHO) is they should be provided where required.

Maybe that will be more the norm if the latest rules as from the end of Feb this year are enforced.

Perhaps now the time to complain to the supplier if you do not have good comms via the DCC?

Reed_Richards

My own comms unaccountably stopped working last July but was fixed in October. The fix that worked for me was an LRR hub on a flying lead. 4G comms hubs without an external antenna did not get enough reception in my meter cupboard. The installer tried two, so I know they can be fitted in the Arqiva area. He did not try an external antenna.

I wonder if the new government requirements are what is hindering the OP, because if a smart meter is fitted companies are now required to make the comms work or give compensation. So in order to get out of this, companies are refusing to even try to fit a smart meter in situations where they are not confident that the comms will work. Perhaps that's why the OP is being met with a refusal to try?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967830#Comment_81967830

Sorry to hijack OP's thread, we only have EE mobile signal, Vodafone signal should be coming at some point soonish, Octopus have said it doesn't help as they use O2 and Virgin, the Vodaphone website says they've partnered with DCC to provide 4G connectivity for Britain’s smart meter network.

Does anyone know, if/when Vodafone coverage comes does that mean our smart meter should be able to send half hour readings please?

Reed_Richards

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970117#Comment_81970117

Probably better to start your own thread as we don't know where in the country you are and what sort of comms hub you have at present, so can't answer your question.

EssexHebridean

OP - have you checked whether your current meter is still in certification? If it isn't, then that should be a decent route to at least get suppliers to look again at the issue and what can be done to fix it.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970117#Comment_81970117

theres nothing to stop Octopus or any other supplier using 4G comms hubs in traditional cellular (midlands and south) since roll out started last year or Arqiva lrr (north and Scotland) since rules changed to make national last summer.

the person you talked to sounds about at least 9m out of date. And as its a link DCC manage, not sure it directly involves Octopus (who may not even supply / fit your next meter as use subcontractors in at least some areas from posts here)

I wonder if any of the many Octopus customers on the forum can confirm already have 4g upgrade or new fit with meters in last 9m or so ?

But in order to use 4g you will AFAIK need a 4g comms hub, not an existing old cellular or in North LRR (just as folk have been warned to get 4g basic phones not old 2g/3g basic phones if want to work long term for a couple of years now).

those who had 2g comms hubs fitted "out of area" in North / Scotland AFAIK only have sevice until end of June - that itself a 6m contract extension - which I suppose could be extended again..