ovo and virtual wide area networks smart meters

Overall I would say that it is much too early yet for anyone to know such details.

Yes VWAN (Smart Metering via the internet) is coming, but it’s still in development and testing.

Also bear in mind that for a number of years (at least) VWAN will be a ‘last resort’ for places that cannot be reached by the Arqiva LRR or Vodaphone 4G signals - those will remain the standard connection methods for the vast majority of customers.

Whilst 4G communication hubs are now being fitted in certain special cases , and the excercise to swap out 3G Comms hubs to 4G is due to start, I am not aware of any VWAN hubs even being available for trials with customers yet.

Yes, Calisen announced last year that they are “gearing up” for the launce of VWAN in Q1 of 2026; however they do not give any details of what that “gearing up” actually means, let alone any timings.

https://www.calisen.com/blogs/we-re-gearing-up-for-the-virtual-wan-launch-in-2026

Just recently, on 20th Jan 2026, the “Department of Energy Security and Net Zero: Response to Consultation on Remaining SEC Subsidiary Documents in Advance of Soft Launch for Virtual WAN” was published, it states:

The effect of the changes is to enable the VWAN Solution to operate in the Live environment, although it has been recognised that energy suppliers intend to carry out further testing in the User Integration Testing environment prior to deploying VWAN in the live environment.

ie. Furter testing is needed before VWAN can go "Live".
https://smartenergycodecompany.co.uk/department-of-energy-security-and-net-zero-response-to-consultation-on-remaining-sec-subsidiary-documents-in-advance-of-soft-launch-for-virtual-wan/

Here’s the latest DCC’s statement I can find on VWAN:
https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/news-events/new-smart-meter-technology-to-help-lower-bills/

Thanks for response, 

Unfortunetly in scotland we are not allowed installation of 4g smart meters even installation of boosters, 

In my area you can not get smart meters installed and they have tried twice. 

Engineers said if alliwed a simole 4g smart and signal booster would do but in scotland not allowed

VIRTUAL WIDE AREA NETWORK IS KEY AND NEEDS TO BE EXCELLARATED ESPECIALLY IN SCOTLAND, 

i am misding out on key tariffs for example heat pump and ev tariff becouse i cant get access to smart meter 

Unfortunetly in scotland we are not allowed installation of 4g smart meters even installation of boosters, 

Actually things have changed and in certain circumstances 4G coms hubs can be, have been, and are being, fitted in parts of Scotland.

However it is again a special circumstance ‘last resort’ thing, mainly for those affected by the RTS switch off. You can’t just demand one.

Whilst your frustration is understandable I’m afraid that such things need a lot of regulation as well as technical inovation.
(The security aspects alone of VWAN being a possible gateway for someone to hack into the National Grid need careful consideration and safeguards building into the system).

I’m afraid that all those in your situation can do is wait until the technology (and the needed legislation/security) allows you to join and benefit from the smart meter WAN.

Hey ​@Bigjim78,

We are currently installing 4G communications hubs, but we have encountered some challenges within the industry that we need to address. The hubs we began installing last year were intended as a short-term solution to assist customers affected by the RTS shutdown. You can learn more about this in the article I'll link below. We will prioritise fitting these hubs for our most vulnerable customers, including those on the Priority Services Register and pay-as-you-go plans.

We’re working to ensure fixes are a long term solution and not a short term stop gap wherever possible.