If there's no mobile signal in my area, should I still get a smart meter fitted?
Best answer by Transparent
Updated on 22/10/25 by Ben_OVO
Great question to ask about the practicalities of installing a smart meter in locations with poor mobile signal. Newer ‘SMETS2’ smart meters work over a different kind of signal so, sometimes, they can communicate well even if you’re in a poor mobile signal area.
There’s a slight difference on the way your smart meter will communicate with us depending on where you live. If the signal’s patchy we can sometimes install an aerial to boost the signal and ensure that we receive the readings from your meter. Check the way your meter will communicate and the compatibility of an aerial on the table below:
|
| North - Meter Point Administration Numbers (MPANs) starting 15, 16, 17, 18, 23) | South - MPANs starting 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22 |
| Communications (comms) hub appearance | Two lights - Wide Area Network (WAN) and (HAN) Home Area Network | Five lights - 2nd is WAN and 4th is HAN |
| Signal | Uses radio signal - doesn’t depend on mobile signal strength | Uses mobile signal |
| Aerials | Aerials can’t be installed on North comms hubs | SKU1 hubs are fitted if an engineer thinks an aerial is not required T1 and T2 aerials can be fitted onto SKU2 hubs. Members will see "SKU2 Cellular + Mesh" on the top-right of SKU2 hubs |
Unfortunately if there’s no WAN signal at all in the area your meter is located we wouldn’t be able to offer you a smart meter currently. However, it’s worth checking back in future as the signal in your area is subject to change.
If you’ve already had the meter installed and are experiencing signal issue, we’d recommend carrying out a smart meter health check for your meter type below and contacting our Support Team with the results:
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Many thanks again!
A short aerial lead is not a problem - I can easily lengthen it or even change the antenna. I just need a working aerial socket. But, will OVO change the meter to do this?
I guess the next step is to ask them.
You've been really helpful. Thanks.
+8- Super User
The meter itself wouldn’t need replacing - it’s a modular system so the Flying Lead can simply be added to the existing setup.
+7- Super User
… the Flying Lead can simply be added to the existing setup.
Let’s be clear - we’re talking about the possibility of connecting an external aerial (T3) to the communications hub to try and capture an elusive WAN signal. A T3 aerial can be mounted some distance away from the communications hub, e.g. high up on an outside wall.
A Flying Lead can be used to mount the communications hub itself up to 1.5m away from the meter, e.g. in situations where the meter is in a tight space, or in a metal enclosure that effectively shields it from the WAN.
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