Faulty Smart Meter Displays Affect Thousands of Customers; “it’s likely to take months to fix the problem”

By B.N. Frank

Opposition to utility “smart” meters (electric, gas, and water) has been ongoing worldwide since they started being deployed over a decade ago. Utilities encourage or force consumers to accept these controversial devices (see 1, 2, 3, 4) in order to remotely control and/or ration energy use (see 1, 2) as well as collect consumer usage data 24/7 to sell and/or share with 3^rd parties including government and law enforcement agencies. In the U.K., “smart” meter complaints and issues continue to escalate (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and include forcing ½ million of the poorest households to accept prepayment smart meters even when they can’t afford to prepay. Of course, no matter what kind of smart meters have been installed, they often don’t operate properly, which is also currently happening again in the UK.

From Energy Live News:

Thousands of British Gas customers hit by faulty smart meter displays

Nearly 4,000 customers have reportedly been affected by incorrect readings

Big Zero Report 2022

Dimitris Mavrokefalidis

Thousands of British Gas customers have been left unable to track their energy and gas usage.

That is because nearly 4,000 customers, less than 1% of all British Gas customers with smart meters in their homes, saw their smart meters having incorrect displays.

The Mail On Sunday reported that these customers will experience delays in seeing their devices work properly again, as it is likely to take months to fix the problem.

Last week, the Data Communications Company said Britain’s national smart meter network grew by over 6.3 million meters in 2022 – a 37% increase.

ELN has approached British Gas for comment.

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“Smart” meters have always been problematic. Issues associated with them include billing errors/higher bills, (see 1, 2), short lifespans, cybersecurity risks, installation mishaps, mechanical issues, harmful radiation emissions, as well as fires and explosions (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Adding insult to injury, proponents continue to insist that “Smart” Meters are essential for “energy efficiency” despite research that has proven otherwise (see 1, 2) as well as testimonies from experts.

Activist Post reports regularly about “smart” meters and other privacy invasive and unsafe technologies. For more information, visit our archives and the following websites: