Smart DCC, the body that runs the secure network behind Great Britain's smart meters, began installing new 4G Communication Hubs in December 2024, it has confirmed. The devices are being fitted as part of a testing phase, with a full roll-out scheduled for summer 20251.
The smart metering network operates outside the public internet and is divided into three areas in Great Britain: north, central and south. In the central and southern regions, meter data travels over 2G and 3G cellular and wireless mesh technology provided by Virgin Media O2. In the northern regions it travels over long-range radio provided by Arqiva1.
The work is tied to the retirement of older mobile networks. DCC states that smart meters will switch seamlessly to the 2G network when 3G is switched off, and that it does not anticipate any impact for energy consumers. It describes its network as low data, with requirements of less than 2Mb per month per household, and says initial analysis shows no customer impact and minimal overall service impact from the 3G switch-off1.
"Since December 2024, new 4G Communication Hubs are now being installed as part of our commitment to evolve the smart metering network and ensure continued connectivity for properties with existing smart metering technology."
The Communications Hub is a small device that typically sits alongside the electricity smart meter and connects to the smart meter wide area network. DCC says it has worked with Vodafone, Toshiba, Arqiva and CGI to develop and deploy the 4G hubs, and has signed a 15-year agreement with Vodafone to bring 4G connectivity to the network1.
Not all meters are affected in the same way. DCC states that second-generation smart meters relying on 2G or 3G will need a replacement Communications Hub to communicate over 4G, work it says is now underway. Any remaining first-generation SMETS1 meters not already upgraded to SMETS2 will need to be physically replaced before 2033, because they were designed with an integrated 2G hub1.
| Meter type | What DCC says is needed |
|---|---|
| Second-generation (SMETS2) using 2G/3G | Replacement Communications Hub for 4G |
| First-generation (SMETS1) not upgraded | Physical meter replacement before 2033 |
Why it matters for households
A smart meter depends on a communications link to send readings and to support functions such as smart prepayment and remote switching between credit and prepay. If that link fails, the meter still measures energy, but automatic readings and some remote functions can stop, and households may need to read the meter themselves.
The 4G hubs are the mechanism intended to keep that link alive as older networks are retired. DCC's position is that the 3G switch-off alone should not interrupt service, because meters fall back to 2G. The longer-term question is 2G, which is due to be switched off in 2033. DCC says it is working with Government on plans to upgrade devices to stay connected before that date1.
For a household, the practical point is which meter and which hub are fitted. A SMETS2 meter with an older hub needs a hub swap rather than a new meter. A SMETS1 meter that has not been upgraded needs replacement. DCC has not reported how households will be selected for the testing phase, what the hub installation involves, or whether any of this work carries a cost to the consumer.
What happens next
DCC says the current installations form a testing phase, with mass deployment from summer 2025. It also says it is working with Government on upgrade plans ahead of the 2033 transition date, and that the Vodafone agreement runs for 15 years1. No further dates have been reported.
Sources1 cited
- Do smart meters use 3G? | Smart DCC, smartdcc.co.uk