(Smart Meter Equipment Technical Specifications)
Existing SMETS1 meters are supplier specific and use GSM over existing 900MHz 3G mobile networks (SIM cards).
SMETS2 meters allow the consumer to change supplier and retain full smart meter functionality without needing a change of smart meter.
SMETS2 uses the DCC network, which is accessed via:
- North of Lincoln: Arqiva FlexNet 412-424MHz LongRangeRadio WAN
- Central & Southern: on cellular 900MHz O2 2G/3G GPRS and Telefonica 869MHz wireless mesh
The Comms Hub is physically attached to (and is powered from and communicates with) the Electricity Meter via an ICHI 20-pin connector.
The Hub communicates with the Gas Meter and the remote Display via wireless Zigbee HAN (Home Area Network) .
This is currently 2.4GHz ZigBee Smart Energy Profile HAN standard, but will soon also use additional wireless HAN solution (868MHz).
More recent SMETS1 meters can be upgraded (via firmware updates) to SMETS2.
However it would be useful to be able to access the meter statistics from a local computer directly from the IHD or indeed the Comms Hub, without having to utilise cloud based APIs.
https://shop.glowmarkt.com/products/glow-stick is a Zigbee/WiFi Consumer Access Device bridge that looks interesting, but currently only works with SMETS1 meters. There is an associated discussion thread at https://forum.ovoenergy.com/smart-meter-compatibility-67/can-i-connect-a-cad-to-my-smart-meters-if-ovo-open-the-home-area-network-han-1102/index2.html.
