My old heritage electricity meter has stopped working, and needs replacing, but I’m in an area with very poor (sometimes zero) mobile coverage. Would OVO still replace this with a Smart Meter but ask me to continue to provide manual readings if it can’t communicate automatically? Is this a viable scenario for OVO? (I’ve read various posts in the forum but can’t find a definitive answer to this). Thanks
Installing a Smart Meter if no network coverage in my area?
Best answer by MGreenwood
Updated on 11/03/25 by Ben_OVO
Some areas of the UK suffer from a low, or no, Wide Area Network (WAN) signal. If this is the case for your area we won’t be able to install smart meters until the WAN improves. The WAN across the UK improves with each smart meter installed, and as time goes on we’re able to install smart meters in more locations that we couldn’t previously. If you haven’t been able to have smart meters installed for this reason, keep your eye on your online account / app - it’ll tell you when there’s appointments available.
Not all Smart Meters will have working communications, so suppliers will accept customer’s meter readings.
Even if your communications are working, there could be a period (between 2 weeks and 3 months) after the installation where your supplier sets up the Smart Meter and waits for automatic meter readings - during this period you will have to provide manual readings.
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