The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, told the Commons on 18 June 2025 that her Department had intervened to control the start of the Radio Teleswitch Service phase-out from 30 June. She said people with an RTS meter would not face unexpected disruption to heating or hot water at the end of the month1.
The radio teleswitch service uses radio signals to switch older electricity meters between tariffs such as peak and off-peak, and can also turn heating and hot water systems on and off at set times. The technology relies on infrastructure introduced in the 1980s that is due to be switched off as it reaches the end of its operational life. The phased approach was agreed with industry parties on behalf of energy suppliers1.
Fahnbulleh said the pace of RTS replacements had been too slow for years, leaving 314,935 RTS meters in premises as of 30 May 2025. The Department has worked to ensure industry pursues a more controlled approach, beginning with a very small number of homes and businesses in carefully targeted local areas. The Government and Ofgem will monitor supplier readiness during the process1.
"my Department has stepped in to ensure that there will be a managed and more controlled start of the radio teleswitch service phase-out from 30 June"
Ofgem has consulted on plans for new RTS-specific licence conditions for suppliers, including a provision that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff leaving consumers "no worse off" than under their existing arrangement as a result of an RTS meter replacement. Ofgem will publish its response shortly1.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| RTS meters in premises, 30 May 2025 | 314,935 |
| RTS meters in Scotland | over 100,000 |
| Phase-out start date | 30 June 2025 |
Why it matters for households
RTS meters underpin off-peak tariffs and the automatic switching of storage heaters and hot water. A household on an RTS tariff that loses the radio signal without a replacement could find heating and hot water controls stop responding, and time-of-use pricing no longer applied. The managed start means the first affected areas will be small and targeted, and households will be contacted by their supplier well ahead of any activity in their area1.
In most cases replacement means fitting a smart meter, which can replicate automatic peak and off-peak rates and timed control of heating and hot water. The proposed licence conditions are intended to protect the tariff position of households moved off RTS. The Department has said suppliers must meet all legal obligations to customers, and that it will work with Ofgem to hold them to account1.
What happens next
The phase-out begins on 30 June 2025, starting with a very small number of homes and businesses in targeted local areas. The minister will meet Ofgem and Energy UK fortnightly to review progress, with particular focus on Scotland and remote and rural areas. Ofgem will publish its response to the consultation on RTS-specific licence conditions shortly. Suppliers will continue contacting consumers to book replacement appointments1.
Sources1 cited
- Radio Teleswitch Service Switch-off - Hansard - UK Parliament, hansard.parliament.uk