SMART Meter connection

Hey ​@Ian T ,

First thing I’d try is https://smart-meter-help.ovoenergy.com to see if that can solve the puzzle.

Let me know what it says!

Thanks for your suggestion. Much appreciated.

I had seen this and filled out the questionnaire.  It says that they will look into the issue and will come back to me within 45 days.

I was hoping that there was a simpler (and quicker) way to fix that I had not found?

Cheers

Just to note that you should put the wifi out of your thoughts here.

Smart meters do not currently connect via the internet to send readings
(There are plans/tests ongoing but it is not expected to be a widely available option, simply because it is not as secure as the current dedicated network).

In the South of the country smart meters send readings via mobile, 3G/4G, signal, it the North they use a Long Range Radio signal.

If you are in the South of a line roughly from the Mersey estuary to the Wash then your meters are probably meant to be using the mobile signal to send readings, and if that has improved in the area then it may simply need to have the connection setup tried again?

Or maybe if it’s currently a 3G communications hub swapping it for a 4G coms hub may work?
That excercise of upgrading coms hubs from 3G to 4G has already started:

https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/news-events/4g-communications-hub-roll-out-hits-major-milestone/

Thanks for this and clarifying the wifi use.

Is there a way to try the connection set-up myself or will I have to wait for OVO to come back to me?

Thanks

Engineer only I’m afraid - it’s deliberately locked down to prevent tampering and “accidental” screwups by a customer pressing random buttons.

Suspected that might be the case!

Thanks anyway.

Have a good weekend.

You will have to wait I’m afraid, at least you have started the process now of getting them to look at it again.

Some more about what is going on to get non-communicating smart meters fully connected as they should be:
https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/news-events/how-we-re-working-to-support-customers-to-address-non-communicating-smart-meters/

There are now 550k 4G Communications Hubs installed, with very positive engineer feedback and ongoing performance indicators. Our Virtual Wide Area Network solution is also due for launch later this year which will support those homes previously unable to connect to the Wide Area Network.

As the Virtual Wide Area Network (VWAN) is mentioned there here is more info about what is happening with smart metering over the internet when neither mobile or LRR communication can be connected:
https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/news-events/new-technology-helping-more-homes-connect-to-britain-s-smart-meter-network/

Hey ​@Ian T, 

Welcome to the community! 

You've already gotten some fantastic answers from the community! Just to conirm, your smart meter connects to its own secure network managed by the DCC. So, even if your internet and phone signal are strong, your smart meter might not have the same connection benefits just yet. But here’s the good news—Nukecads pointed out some exciting advancements with new communications hubs and a virtual wide area network, which should help future-proof your setup!

These new technologies are currently being tested for long-term reliability, and they will first be rolled out to our most vulnerable customers before reaching the wider community. 

I also reached out to one of our engineers, Luke, to find out if there are any specific guidelines for installing an EV charger. Sometimes there’s a different framework for installing a communications hub as part of that process to help with communication issues. I'll keep you updated on what he says!

You can also find more information in this helpful article: Wifi and smart meters. I hope you find this helpful.

Hey ​@Ian T,

Check your private messages when you can!