Following the industry engagement process which took place in summer 2023, on 29 February 2024, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) issued a response confirming the industry funding arrangements by which energy suppliers undertake 4G Communications Hub only exchange site visits (i.e. where no smart meter(s) are replaced) in the Central and South regions of Great Britain.
The conclusions set out in the response reflect the feedback received from industry, as well as the Government’s support to the smart meter 4G transition. These decisions aim to minimise the risk of smart meter functionality interruption, owing to the sunset of the 2G/3G networks.
In addition, DESNZ is now further engaging industry with proposed changes to the DCC Licence and the main body of the Smart Energy Code to support the implementation of 4G Communications Hub only exchange site visit arrangements.
The Department’s response, and further proposal on the DCC charging mechanism and legal changes (set out in Annex A) can be accessed here.
Feedback on these proposals should be submitted by 5pm on 12 April 2024 to smip.sdc@energysecurity.gov.uk. Any questions you may have on any of these documents should also be sent to the same mailbox.
For information, the initial engagement document issued on 20 July 2023 regarding 4G Communications Hub only exchange site visits can be found here (document re-uploaded on 4 February 2026).