S2 smart meters in the Northern Territory using the Arqiva network - why isn't the meter able to connect to the WAN?

I have absolutely no idea lol! Atleast the jobs booked in! =]

So are 4G comms hubs now commonly available in Scotland?

I’d like to be able to get mine working and 4G will likely be the answer with no WAN 

They are indeed available, but currently being prioritised for RTS migrations

Just following on from my previous posts, the OVO engineer came out today. He fitted the fly lead but the commissioning of the electricity meter still failed at the last hurdle. He said that 4G comms units cannot be fitted in the northern region, as currently these are only permitted/allocated for RTS migrations.

So basically, I’ve run out of options in getting a working smart meter (and EV charger installed) unless something changes higher up the chain or the regulatory landscape changes to allow 4G hubs to be fitted in situations where LRR has failed.

I know this is an OVO forum, but does anyone know of any energy supplier that will fit a 4G comms hub where LRR has failed, or am I doomed forever?

AFAIK this is a DCC decision, so you’re VERY unlikely to find any other supplier who will fit the 4G Hubs at the moment.

​@localshop this is frustrating, I’m sorry to hear this.

​@Blastoise186 is correct in what he’s saying, however there’s nothing stopping you from contacting some other suppliers to see if they say any different. Let us know how you get on if you do.

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What is the timescale for replacing all the remaining RTS devices in Scotland with 4G comms hubs? How many have already been replaced and how many are still left to do? Will Ovo customers with no smart meter signal to/from the Arqiva network have to wait until *everybody* else’s RTS is replaced UK-wide, or only until just Ovo RTS customers have been provided with dual comms hubs?

Hey ​@Ovolteeny,

The switch-off for 2G and 3G networks is not scheduled until 2033, so there is still ample time to replace communication hubs for our customers. We are currently focusing on our most vulnerable customers first, specifically those who use pay as you go services and are on the Priority Services Register. Once we've ensured that these vulnerable customers have received their replacements, we will then arrange to open allocations to the broader network of customers.

I hope this helps!

So here we are, almost 6 years on from having this meter installed. Ovo had another go a couple of days ago. A very nice engineer came round to do the gas meter, but admitted that he had to get the electric meter working first. So he tried replacing the long range radio meter with a 4g model, despite having a mobile signal it still doesn’t communicate. So still no go and he went home without touching the gas meter.

It seemed to me that a possible solution was missed. The engineer had a ‘hotshoe’ that could be fitted to the gas meter, I had the impression that this would improve the comms between the gas meter and comms hub on the electric meter, a notorious weak point, but no - the hotshoe enables the gas meter to talk to the DCC without going through the electric meter hub. Since the gas meter is higher up in our house this might work - and then the electric comms hub might be able to send it’s data via the gas meter hotshoe. 

I am going to raise a complaint again to see if this new compernsation scheme will give me some comfort. 

Meanwhile in France, the solution of sending the info back down the supply wires is working fine, the whole country has a smart network and no scandals yet about security lapses. 

Hey ​@bingbongovo2021,

I'm really sorry to hear that you're still having trouble with your gas meter replacement. It's great to know that our engineering team has been putting in a lot of effort to help you out. I can totally understand how frustrating it must be when things don't go as planned, especially when the meter isn’t sending any signals, fixing that can be tricky.

While raising a complaint might not lead to a resolution since the lack of communication is somewhat out of our hands, you’re always welcome to reach out to our complaints team if you'd like. They can liaise with our engineering team to get a better understanding on what's required.