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Energy regulatory body devises contingency strategies for households still equipped with RTS meters following the imminent shutdown scheduled for next month

Long-wave broadcasting service Radio Teleswitch (RTS), an ancillary of BBC Radio 4's frequency, has been transmitting utility meter readings to suppliers. However, RTS is scheduled to cease operations on the 30th of June.

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Energy regulatory body devises contingency strategies for households still equipped with RTS meters following the imminent shutdown scheduled for next month

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Get ready, thousands of households! The energy watchdog is sounding the alarm bell for those still clinging onto old RTS meters, which face a significant change come next month.

This 40-year-old Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which operates on the long-wave channel for BBC Radio 4, facilitates meter readings for energy suppliers — but shuts down on 30 June.

In a statement, an Ofgem representative revealed, "We're galvanized to explore every possible avenue to guarantee that customers are safeguarded as we phase out this ancient 40-year-old technology from 30 June 2025." By March's end, there were 430,000 households still depending on RTS meters, and suppliers confess they're having a hard time switching enough customers before the deadline.

It's suspected that Ofgem is cooking up contingency plans for consumers with RTS meters if their provider hasn't upgraded them to a smart meter by the end of June. Although some critics contend that households left behind could end up without heating or hot water, it's more likely that suppliers — who'll struggle to access meter readings — will feel the pinch.

Here's the skinny on what could go wrong:

  1. The End Fuel Poverty Coalition claims that rural areas might be hit particularly hard due to engineer shortages, and aging households and low-income families could face extended heating disruptions.
  2. Ofgem remains ambiguous about whether it'll impose fines or postpone the cutoff date again.
  3. To minimize disruptions, households can proactively reach out to their provider to request an upgrade.

In recent weeks, Ofgem has observed suppliers ramping up efforts in remote regions like Scotland's Highlands and Islands and launching solutions to improve smart meter connectivity in northern areas. So, if you've run into hurdles with your upgrade, don't hesitate to give your provider another call.

Meanwhile, Ofgem is demanding that each provider develop action plans, which it's monitoring closely to ensure suitable protections are in place for households still on RTS meters after the transition process begins.

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Do households have to have smart meters?

Smart meters will become the norm as suppliers replace RTS meters. Energy companies aren't obliged to revert to older traditional meters, and considering smart meter installation targets, it's unlikely they'll make this change.

Suppliers use RTS to toggle a meter between peak and off-peak rates, so consumers can enjoy energy deals with reduced charges at certain times.

The impending RTS shutdown raises worries that these tariffs might become a thing of the past. Suppliers have been warned that they must make reasonable efforts to ensure RTS customers stay on the same or a like-for-like tariff, yet this may not be achievable in specific cases.

Ofgem and suppliers affirm that upgrading to a smart meter will open doors to a wider array of money-saving 'smart meter only' tariffs for customers. However, households are left with limited options but to opt for smart meters, although they can switch to 'dummy mode', which means the meter won't automatically transmit readings to the provider.

  1. The energy industry, in particular the suppliers, are transitioning from the use of old Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters to smart meters by 2025, due to the set shutdown date of RTS on 30 June 2025.
  2. The switch to smart meters could pose contingencies for households that rely on RTS meters, as Ofgem, the energy watchdog, may have to implement measures if their providers fail to upgrade them before the deadline.
  3. The finance sector could be affected by the RTS shutdown, as suppliers might struggle to access meter readings from households with outdated RTS meters, potentially impacting their revenue.
  4. Article 2, "Best energy deals April 2025: Fixed tariffs that BEAT the market," might discuss the benefits and incentives of smart meters, as they become the norm after the phase-out of RTS meters, offering more 'smart meter only' tariffs that could potentially save households money.
Long-wave radio service Radio Teleswitch (RTS), associated with BBC Radio 4, transmits utility meter readings to providers, however, will cease operation on 30th June.

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