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njt2109
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April 12, 2023
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Telefonica Coverage Improvements

  • April 12, 2023
  • 19 replies
  • 818 views

Hello. Around a year ago I requested SSE to install a Smart Meter. They attempted this but even with an “extra large” aerial it wouldn’t connect to the network. So the engineer took it out and put back our old dumb meter. I asked about connecting via WiFi but that functionality isn’t available (which seems pretty dumb imo).

 

My question are these: has the OVO takeover changed anything? Or have Telefonica/O2 improved their coverage (from frankly awful) in the last 12 months? Basically: is it worth trying again? And, as an aside; why don’t the meters communicate via WiFi? My mobile phone can use WiFi Calling so it’s perfectly possible.

 

Thanks.

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 14/03/25 by Ben_OVO

Currently T3 aerial installs are on hold until an issue with the DCC is resolved. If you’re interested in getting a smart meter our Support Team will be able to see if there’s enough signal in the area. You’ll also be able to book the appointment via your online account.

 

 

Hey @njt2109 ,

This isn’t an OVO issue, but more of a DCC/Telefonica one. However, it’s definitely a valid question for here and a really good one!

I’d imagine that the T3 Aerial that DCC was working on might have a better chance since it’s either now available or soon to be ready. If that monster can’t get a signal, then you might be out of luck unless there’s a Mesh Network in the area.

As for Wi-Fi? I’m afraid the NCSC banned that option for Smart Meters because they’re part of critical national infrastructure that cannot be allowed to run over the public internet.

19 replies

BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
April 12, 2023

Hi @njt2109  I know there have been improvements with communication but this is often down to other things like extra links between meters so that the signal can ‘hop’ between. 
The external signal coverage is as you say with other companies and so OVO don’t have any sway in that part. 
The non Wi-Fi by the way is because the signal isn’t secure enough as the data is of course part of a network and the energy supplies are needed to be more secure than standard Wi-Fi 

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Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super UserSolved
Super User
April 12, 2023

Updated on 14/03/25 by Ben_OVO

Currently T3 aerial installs are on hold until an issue with the DCC is resolved. If you’re interested in getting a smart meter our Support Team will be able to see if there’s enough signal in the area. You’ll also be able to book the appointment via your online account.

 

 

Hey @njt2109 ,

This isn’t an OVO issue, but more of a DCC/Telefonica one. However, it’s definitely a valid question for here and a really good one!

I’d imagine that the T3 Aerial that DCC was working on might have a better chance since it’s either now available or soon to be ready. If that monster can’t get a signal, then you might be out of luck unless there’s a Mesh Network in the area.

As for Wi-Fi? I’m afraid the NCSC banned that option for Smart Meters because they’re part of critical national infrastructure that cannot be allowed to run over the public internet.

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    njt2109Author
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    April 12, 2023

    Thanks all. How can I find out if the T3 aerial is available yet? Cos it won’t be worth my while trying again until something better is out there. And when the 2G and 3G services are switched off it will get worse before it might get better. 
    I must say that I find it baffling that building and running “nationally critical infrastructure” is left to incompetent and avaricious corporations who won’t lift a finger without a subsidy. But they can at least say that their network is secure and can’t be hacked; where there’s no connection it can’t be compromised!

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    April 12, 2023

    I can try to find out. There’s a few people I know who might have that answer.

    Give me a few days, I need permission from a forum moderator to do this.

    2G will remain active for the time being, so Comms Hubs will still work until they get upgraded to 4G Comms Hubs.

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    njt2109Author
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    April 12, 2023

    👍

    Blastoise186
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    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    April 13, 2023

    Just an update. Permission has been granted. We’re waiting for a response from an internal expert.

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      njt2109Author
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      April 13, 2023

      Nice! I’ll be all ears……

      Tim_OVO
      OVO Staff
      Tim_OVO
      OVO Forum Legend
      April 13, 2023

      Hi @njt2109 and thanks for posting,

       

      I’ve been advised that we’ve carried out a trial installing T3 aerials but the process requires us to try and get a T2 aerial to attempt connectivity, and failing that, to raise an incident with the DCC so they can investigate. They then recommend if a T3 will resolve the issue.

       

      We need to understand why this site could not connect without T3 and if a T3 is now needed, which only the DCC can confirm. 

       

      Our advice would be to arrange a smart install from OVO and for the issues you’ve had with British Gas to be included in the job notes. 

      Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
        Blastoise186
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        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        April 13, 2023

        The other thing to be aware of, is that T3 Aerials are HUGE compared to a T1 or T2 Aerial or just having the Comms Hub by itself. They have to be affixed to the building permanently, but there’s ways of doing it so that the aerial doesn’t get in your way or look ugly compared to the space around it.

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          njt2109Author
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          April 13, 2023

          Thanks. I’ll give that a try.

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