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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 23, 2024

-48dBm suggests the meter is extremely close to the radio of something it’s connected to. Perhaps… Too close for it to be WAN...

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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
August 23, 2024

This particular example is the HAN signal .. I was just showing an example

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    R
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    Robert44
    Rank 2
    August 23, 2024

    Thanks. I looked at the Alcara Online Manual and seems no facility to check WAN at the meter itself.

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      August 23, 2024

      Thanks. I looked at the Alcara Online Manual and seems no facility to check WAN at the meter itself.

      It was on their 1300 series .. 

      Perhaps it wasn’t thought needed with the new generation meters 

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      August 23, 2024

      Ah yeah, I should have said.

      In the S1 days, ALL manufacturers except L+G handled the Comms Hub integration with the Electric Meter much more tightly than what you get on SMETS2. That’s why the S1 Meters often had that ability while S2 don’t.

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      R
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      Robert44
      Rank 2
      August 23, 2024

      Blastoise, You posted this on the forum:-

       

      I found a SGM1311 in our communal meter room. Is that the WAN signal on the bottom right and should it be adequate for communicating with Energy Company? I guess all other meters will receive this level of signal.

       

       

       

       

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      August 23, 2024

      That’s a SMETS1 Aclara. The signal strength for it is not applicable for SMETS2 in the Northern Territory - they use a totally different system up there.

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      Robert44
      Rank 2
      August 23, 2024

      Thanks. I’m confused. So is this the WAN signal (bars) in the bottom right. This is from the Northern Region.

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      August 23, 2024

      I think what Blastoise is saying is that any new meter install would be SMETS 2 and so that signal is not relevant 

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        R
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        Robert44
        Rank 2
        August 23, 2024

        Ok, but are the bars shown on the Alcara smets1 above a WAN signal ?

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