The
UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) may be opening the
door to the use of polluting PLC technology for smart meters.
The
DECC is requesting suggestions for alternatives to wireless links and
they say "Energy UK are conducting a series of tests in multi-dwelling
buildings to characterise the performance of their electricity networks
with respect to carrying Power Line Communication (PLC) signals."
While
the announcement says "respondents are not in any way limited to
proposing technologies based on PLC" they may well be fears that
purveyors of polluting PLC technology, renown for ruining people's
enjoyment of radio, will use this opportunity to sneak in.
If
you wish to reply to this Information Request, DECC would like to
receive your response no later than 15 April 2013. Please respond via
email to smartmetering@decc.gsi.gov.uk
Read the information request (PDF) - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136105/Wired_HAN_Information_Request.pdf
DCC Policy Paper announcement - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/availability-of-technologies-for-provisioning-home-area-network-han-connectivity-to-electricity-and-gas-metering-equipment-communications-hub-and-in-home-devices-in-cases-where-a-2-4ghz-zigbee-wireless-han-will-not-work-effectively
Smart Meters RF Survey report which covers the use of 433 MHz - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/136124/smart-meters-rf-surveys-final-report.pdf
