Is a smart meter mandatory? As an amateur radio operator I'm worried the signals may interfere

There is a lot of useful information on this site https://www.smartme.co.uk/technical.html which could help you. It includes frequencies used.

Thanks @MGreenwood - very useful!

Just noticed that the moderators have altered the phrasing of my question slightly to suggest I am only concerned about interference to my hobby! I would like to stress that I am also concerned about my activities interfering with the meter. Close-range high power radio signals can affect equipment operating on frequencies far from those being transmitted. I’m aware of the issues with Fylingdales (which won’t affect me as I’m not in that area), but amateur radio power levels at only about ten metres away can have a far greater effect than thousands of watts a mile away. If you doubt that, check out the inverse square law concerning radio wave physics! I doubt it will be an issue, but knowing the operational frequencies of the meters helps. Thanks again for all the input!

Sorry for that slight mis-interpretation, @FrancB.

I’ve just updated the topic title so hope that clears things up - Thanks for popping back with more technical info 

No problem, thanks Jess. Just wanted to point out it wasn’t just a one way concern! 

Today I contacted OVO to advise my traditional style electric meter has ceased recording - actually I was surprised OVO had not contacted me as the reading I gave on the 16 Jan was identical to that of 16 Dec - the call handler took all details and advised there would be a delay as they would have to source the meter - a way I was given a date of 8 Feb for fitment. Later I received an email stating “Confirmation of your smart meter fitment” - I had made it very clear during my initial discussion that I did not want a smart meter, just a straight replacement. I then recontacted OVO and this time got a different call handler, who had a gruff attitude at the least, who, after I’d explained the issue, told me I would have to have a smart meter, it was compulsory- I then advised, when I was given a chance, that I knew this not to be the case, I was then told no traditional style meters were available and even if they were it would cost me up to £500 to be fitted - not bad for a job that takes around 45 minutes ! I advised the man that I would not be having a smart meter and could he please make sure this was advised - so far I have had no reply.

Have others had similar issues and what was the result ? I know I can get a traditional meter fitted, and at a lot( more than half) less than the cost I had quoted - I’m based in the Plymouth area so if anyone has any useful contacts please advise.

Why don’t you want a smart meter?

There are no stocks left of traditional meters in OVO’s inventory anymore and there’s no plans to get more. This is in common with pretty much all other suppliers.

A £500 quote is about average as well. Not only would the main fuse have to be pulled at your expense, but you’d need permission from OVO to remove the existing meter and have OVO remove it at your cost (not cheap!) and get OVO’s permission to use your own meter, find one that OVO would allow you to use, buy it at your own cost, have it fitted at your own cost and have the DNO put the main fuse back in. You’re talking hundreds of pounds for this.

Or you can just accept OVO’s offer of a free one and simply ignore the data.

If you are desperate to keep reading the meter yourself instead of enjoying the benefit of having it read automatically you can ask OVO to put the meter in "dumb" mode. This means it won't send readings to OVO.

I'm not sure why you would do this... but you can.

Plus you can also just go for Monthly readings only and have the meter NOT submit anything else except whatever the current basic meter reading is on the scheduled monthly read date. It wouldn’t include usage data, half-hourly snapshots, breakdowns… Just the current reading.