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[STEMO]

I was talking to a guy who reads meters for a living today and he was bemoaning the fact that his job will be gone when everyone has a smart meter. I told him I wouldn't have one, to which he replied that everyone would have to.
Being an old bastid, I don't like being told what to do. So, how are these meters connected to the network? If it's wirelessly through your router, are you obliged to give them the password if you don't want to? And what's to stop you changing the password once the meter is installed?

[aaronjb]

2G or 3G, I believe - the mobile network.

So .. line your meter cabinet with lead sheet that you've nicked off the local church roof and you're golden.

Though IIRC in the US they are starting to use meters that communicate back (unencrypted, naturally) over the powerlines themselves (hey, Kevin, ethernet over powerline! You HAM guys love that, right?  ) so you'd have no option but to cut off your own electricity and live like a hermit in SLady bitshorpe a cave.

[STEMO]

2G or 3G, I believe - the mobile network.

So .. line your meter cabinet with lead sheet that you've nicked off the local church roof and you're golden.

Though IIRC in the US they are starting to use meters that communicate back (unencrypted, naturally) over the powerlines themselves (hey, Kevin, ethernet over powerline! You HAM guys love that, right?  ) so you'd have no option but to cut off your own electricity and live like a hermit in SLady bitshorpe a cave.

Ah....that's ok...we hardly ever get a signal indoors, and definitely not in the cupboard (old pantry) in the kitchen where the electric meter is. 
So, the compromise would be: I'll have a smart meter if you can wangle me a good signal indoors.

[Lincs Robert]

They have SIM cards fitted so will connect that way.

I understand that the installers carry multiple SIM cards so that they can choose whichever network has the best signal at your location.

[Terbs]

Been some reports of these meters sending silly reports, and the public being sent bills at over £3000 each.

[STEMO]

They have SIM cards fitted so will connect that way.

I understand that the installers carry multiple SIM cards so that they can choose whichever network has the best signal at your location.

Interesting, Robert. So, if I buy a sim-free phone, can I take the SIM from the meter and make free calls? 

[STEMO]

Been some reports of these meters sending silly reports, and the public being sent bills at over £3000 each.

With my wife, Tony, that would be about the right amount  Her mother ran a working mens club in Gateshead, everything was paid for by the brewery and old habits die hard.

[zirk]

They have SIM cards fitted so will connect that way.

I understand that the installers carry multiple SIM cards so that they can choose whichever network has the best signal at your location.

Interesting, Robert. So, if I buy a sim-free phone, can I take the SIM from the meter and make free calls? 

Yes, if you can speak ISDN.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Customers are paying for smart meters and not utility companies. So even if you don't have one you will still be paying for one.

[STEMO]

True, but at least they won't be able to read my brainwaves. My tinfoil hat makes my head sweaty, esp in the summer months.

[Mister Rog]

My concern, for which I have yet to see an absolute denial or confirmation of, is that they will be tied to a specific supplier, IE: only the supplier that fits it can read it. Therefore, switching would become much harder.

Anyone know much about this one way or the other ?

 

[Kevin Wood]

2G or 3G, I believe - the mobile network.

So .. line your meter cabinet with lead sheet that you've nicked off the local church roof and you're golden.

Though IIRC in the US they are starting to use meters that communicate back (unencrypted, naturally) over the powerlines themselves (hey, Kevin, ethernet over powerline! You HAM guys love that, right?  ) so you'd have no option but to cut off your own electricity and live like a hermit in SLady bitshorpe a cave.

Fortunately, that sort of poor technology won't work with the supply infrastructure in the UK, so they are using mobile phone tech.

This reminds me. My supplier sent me a letter before Christmas announcing that I need to contact them to arrange to have one fitted. I was about to go on holiday, so my response was "meh".

If they happen to turn up with one while I'm in, then happy days, but it's of no benefit to me, so I'm not going to waste time negotiating their call centre, and then have to take time off work for them to turn up and fit it. Actually, my fixed rate runs out next month, so they might want to wait a while, just in case.

[Lincs Robert]

They have SIM cards fitted so will connect that way.

I understand that the installers carry multiple SIM cards so that they can choose whichever network has the best signal at your location.

Interesting, Robert. So, if I buy a sim-free phone, can I take the SIM from the meter and make free calls? 

Nice try, but the SIM will be a data only one and also be sealed inside the meter somehow.

Another question gets raised - how does a smart gas meter get the power it needs for the smart gubbins/SIM card etc? Is it connected to the smart electric meter? Can't see how that would work otherwise ......

[Lincs Robert]

They have SIM cards fitted so will connect that way.

I understand that the installers carry multiple SIM cards so that they can choose whichever network has the best signal at your location.

Interesting, Robert. So, if I buy a sim-free phone, can I take the SIM from the meter and make free calls? 

Seems the electric meter has the smarts & uses "unmetered" power to power a hub which includes the SIM modem etc. The smart gas meter is battery operated and communicates with the hub in the smart electric meter using a low power system called Zigbee. The battery is designed to last 10 years and will call for help when it needs replacing.

So, you can have an electric smart meter, smart electric and gas, but not smart gas only. The hub also powers the display for the householder.

Nice try, but the SIM will be a data only one and also be sealed inside the meter somehow.

Another question gets raised - how does a smart gas meter get the power it needs for the smart gubbins/SIM card etc? Is it connected to the smart electric meter? Can't see how that would work otherwise ......

[aaronjb]

Ah yes, Zigbee, that totally secure protocol