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Why is my smart meter not communicating?

What are the two networks?

  1. Home Area Network (HAN): This network connects your smart meter to your communications hub and to your In Home Display  (IHD). If you have both a smart gas and smart electricity meter, the HAN allows them to both communicate with each other.
  2. Wider Area Network (WAN): This is a secure network that allows your smart meter(s) to connect to us and send us your readings automatically. This network is maintained by the Data Communications Company  (DCC) - the central smart meter operator, appointed by the government and regulated by Ofgem.

Why might you experience issues with the HAN?

If the HAN is causing the communication issues it is likely due to your meter being unable to connect with the communications hub, which is situated next to your electricity meter. This can sometimes occur for example, in blocks of flats, with very thick internal walls or where there is other interference. Other issues include thick walls between meters or the meters being too far apart to communicate.

If this issue persists, the good news is that your meter already has new technology installed, so it should be ready to connect when the communications hub issue is fixed.

Why might you experience issues with the WAN?

If the WAN is causing your meter’s communication problem, it is because the DCC network is unable to provide communications to your home.

This is an issue facing all energy suppliers and we’ve been working closely with the DCC to try and find a solution. Unfortunately, there is not currently a way to improve the coverage in certain areas of the country.

It may take a couple of years before the DCC has the technology it needs to fix this issue. Once the coverage issue is resolved, your meter(s) should be ready to connect to the WAN.

What do I need to do if my smart meter is not communicating?

We simply ask that you continue to provide us with your meter readings to ensure you’re getting accurate bills. Unsure how to read your meter? Read our how to read your meter page.

If we don’t receive a meter read from you, our meter readers will continue to visit your property to take manual readings.

Here’s how to send us your readings:

Last updated: 25 September 2024


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