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Windrushvalley
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November 27, 2018
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If there's no mobile signal in my area, should I still get a smart meter fitted?

  • November 27, 2018
  • 57 replies
  • 31257 views
is there any point in my having a smart meter installed as there is no mobile signal from any network where I live? Can smart meters communicate over WiFi or WiFi Calling for example?
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:

 

 

 

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

57 replies

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 21, 2024

Easy. AltHAN will cover that no problem once it becomes ready to go again.

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R
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Robert44
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August 21, 2024

No flat here can use an IHD, althogh At-Han will help here when it becomes available.

What will a Dual Band Hub do for the Wan signal.

 

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 21, 2024

Dual-Band Comms Hubs affect the HAN only, not the WAN.

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Robert44
Rank 2
August 21, 2024

So how does the booking process take into account my local conditions:

-old mill building

-thick walls

-ground floor central meter room

-issues from resident/tennants

Do they (OVO) take into account current issues at these flats? 

I get the impression OVO only want to make a sale/installation.

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 21, 2024

It’s based on the data known to OVO and DCC at the time of the booking. A secondary check is done during the install itself - but it’s impossible to know absolutely everything in advance.

An aborted install actually costs OVO money, so it’s in their interests to get it right.

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Robert44
Rank 2
August 21, 2024

Thanks.

Can I access this information as it might stop wasting OVO`s time doing an installation.

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
August 21, 2024

It’s only available if you talk to OVO by Phone or Live Chat iirc.

Either way, it can always be fixed later if needed.

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    R
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    Robert44
    Rank 2
    August 22, 2024

    Thanks for your comments Blastoise186. 

    The DCC advise that coverage is available in my postcode area with a likelihood of high connectivity.  The old mill building does have thick walls. 

    I read so many comments about poor signal.  Maybe it would be useful if the DCC could add the signal strength to their box.

    R
    Rank 2
    Robert44
    Rank 2
    August 22, 2024

    I should add that the mill building has windows in the thick walls in the direction of the Signal and one 100mm brick internal wall.

    OVO engineers advise inability to connect to Smartmeter in this building but I know some meters are working in Smart mode (not OVO).

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    August 23, 2024

    …

    I read so many comments about poor signal.  Maybe it would be useful if the DCC could add the signal strength to their box.

    There are some meters which can display signal strength 

    It’s not simple to get to though, even if available and then there’s the interpretation to deal with. 

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