[lambpie]

Hi,
Just seeing if anyone has successfully persuaded Eon Next to escalate a T3 external aerial install with DCC to get smart meter comms working?

I have a SKU2+Celluar+mesh comms unit with an internal T2 aerial. I have proven that, using an extension on the comms cable, that same T2 aerial will pick up WAN and MESH (observed the 1in5 flashes on the SKU2 comms unit) by having the aerial external to the building and elevated to the first floor.

I've enquired with DCC who say they will fit a T3 aerial if instructed to by Eon Next.

I've escalated it with Eon Next customer services to say what is required, and await a reply by tomorrow.

We let everybody know how i get on.

The increase in night rate by 25% is my primary driver, if i cannot get comms i cannot move onto the nextdrive EV tarriff and my usage is 1:3 day/night.

Cheers all

[theunknowntech]

Hiya!

T3 Aerials are usually only installed if commissioning using ALL other options has failed and DCC considers it viable to do so. You need to see whether Mesh options might be viable first.

Mesh connections don't use the external aerial either - they're internal to the Comms Hub.

[lambpie]

2 Engineer visits confirm no other option but external aerial. Anyone had this done with Eon Next??
Speaking to the Morrisons Utility Engineer subcontractor, he said they haven't done any T3 installs.

[lambpie]

After chasing for an update, i've apparently hit a dead end. Eon Next customer services have no published process (certainly to my call handler) for escalating smart meter comms issues to DCC for possible T3 installs. Not sure if i am being palmed off. Have requested escalation details and been given the hi@ and generic customer services phone number. This is after 1hr plus already on the phone....

As per DCC website FAQ's
https://www.smartdcc.co.uk/contact-us-energy-consumers/

"I need a T3 aerial installed T3 aerials are installed where the Communications Service Provider (CSP) indicates one is needed. There are industry-established processes for your energy supplier to resolve this on your behalf."

So @eon next, where is the industry establish process you should be following in cases like this?


I have an email from DCC customer services stating they do the T3 installs if Eon Next pass the case over.

Anyone from Eon smart meter team in these forums who has any knowledge on this?

[retrotecchie]

Originally Posted by lambpie

I have a SKU2+Celluar+mesh comms unit with an internal T2 aerial. I have proven that, using an extension on the comms cable, that same T2 aerial will pick up WAN and MESH (observed the 1in5 flashes on the SKU2 comms unit) by having the aerial external to the building and elevated to the first floor.

If you made a DIY solution work, then you might be better off with that than trying to get any sense out of E.On Next.

The lights flashing indicates that the meter is at least seeing signal, but you;d still need to see if the meters are showing up on the smart network.

I'd be tempted to re-rig your test setup, wait a day or two and then see if the meter is visible on the Citizens Advice smart checker.

[lambpie]

No progress 4 weeks of back and forth with the complaints team. They have said there is no WAN available in the area and therefore they cannot offer a smart meter. Strange as they installed the smart meter in the first place! There appears to be no willing or desire to escalate to DCC or offer an onsite survey/assessment as to the benefit of a t3 external aerial.

Just need to wait for my 8 weeks to expire and i'll raise with the ombudsman as Eon Next have not looked to resolve this with the solution that is right in front of them.
If anyone watching is from the SMART team and wants to get in connect, please do so.

[retrotecchie]

@lambpie

Ah, but...

There was plenty of WAN here in my remote village in Wales when we had a 3G mast. A few folks here had smart meters fitted which did work for a while until Vodafone and EE decommissioned the mast in October 2022. Now we have no WAN. And no supplier will fit either a new smart meter or an T3 antenna.

[Iscadean1]

@lambpie hi. I’m keen to see how an external antenna might affect my communicator signal. Got a SMETS2 with mesh with T2 internal antenna. What did you use to prove it and what connector type will I need?

[retrotecchie]

@Iscadean1

If your signal is marginal, an external T3 antenna may just make enough difference but it depends how marginal. A better antenna could increase signal 'just enough' to get things running if you are right on the edge of coverage, but it won't help much if you are in a 'not spot'. Signal is not the whole story, but rather 'signal to noise ratio'.

If an external antenna can pick up the signal and the hub can lock on reliably then all well and good. If, however, the antenna improves signal slightly, but the signal to noise ratio measured during installation is too low, then they'll just remove it again and walk away as you won't benefit from it.

The T3 antenna is not a fix for anything other than marginal reception, so will only be deployed if on-site tests show it does work effectively.