All smart meters currently communicate using either wireless or mobile phone style technology - at present there is just no alternative. The Government has mandated that all domestic properties must have smart gas and electricity meters by 2020. www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/dec/02/smart-meters-go-ahead.
Traditional style meters will gradually be phased out and smart meters will become the standard. Government and the industry Regulator, Ofgem, are currently designing the rules and regulations that energy suppliers will have to operate by. This work should be finished by the summer. Ofgem has also set up a Smart Metering Consumer Advisory Group, which will represent the views of customers, to work with them to ensure that customer concerns are captured and understood.
