New Taskforce to Solve Radio Teleswitch Issue

Energy suppliers and other stakeholders are joining forces to tackle the challenge of replacing 800,000 Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meters across the United Kingdom before the service is switched off next summer. This collaborative effort follows a summit organised by the energy regulator Ofgem, bringing together suppliers and stakeholders such as Energy UK and Citizens Advice to find a collective solution to migrating households from the outdated technology before the service ends on 30th June 2025.

The RTS system, which utilises long wave radio signals to instruct some electricity meters to switch between on and off-peak modes, is no longer sustainable. Without a meter upgrade, certain homes, schools, and businesses could face the possibility of being left without heating and hot water, or unable to regulate their heating systems.

Customers who currently have an RTS meter, or those unsure if they do, are urged to contact their energy supplier for guidance and to schedule an appointment for an engineer to visit their property. Since 2023, energy suppliers have been reaching out to customers regarding this issue, with companies having a large number of affected customers engaging directly with local stakeholders.

Recognising the magnitude of the challenge, particularly with many RTS properties located in harder to reach areas like rural or island communities, Ofgem has called upon suppliers and stakeholders to combine resources and make concerted efforts to reach as many households as possible before the service is discontinued.

After a summit at Ofgem’s office in Glasgow, the industry has pledged to the RTS Call To Action, a joint commitment to accelerate the pace and quantity of RTS upgrades by:

• Concentrating resources in regional ‘hot spots’ with the highest number of RTS customers
• Expediting RTS customer upgrades and prioritising vulnerable consumers
• Tackling technical challenges directly, sharing expertise to provide solutions
• Delivering monthly progress reports to closely monitor the replacement rate and assess if further actions are necessary

Charlotte Friel, Ofgem’s director of consumer protection and retail markets, emphasised the urgency of protecting RTS customers from losing control of their heating and hot water. She highlighted that at the current replacement rate, it would take until 2028 to upgrade all RTS meters across the UK. Therefore, decisive action is imperative, and the industry’s response to ramp up RTS upgrades is encouraging.

On behalf of suppliers, Daisy Cross, Head of Future Energy Systems at Energy UK, underscored the collaborative efforts among energy suppliers to address this challenge swiftly. She stressed the importance of working with community groups, local government, and customers themselves to ensure that the necessary upgrades are completed by the June 2025 deadline.

Various organisations, including Ofgem, Energy UK, Distribution Network Operators, Smart Energy GB, government representatives, and consumer groups, along with 10 energy companies, have committed to the Call to Action. This call follows the industry-led cross-sector RTS Taskforce, comprising technical and engagement groups dedicated to resolving complex issues and increasing customer awareness.

In the upcoming weeks, suppliers, supported by stakeholders, will initiate pilot projects targeting areas with a high concentration of RTS customers. These projects will involve public awareness campaigns and direct engagement with customers to schedule appointments for meter upgrades.

Efforts to communicate with customers will be coordinated through the taskforce, while suppliers continue to address technical barriers to upgrading meters and update industry systems in preparation for the switch-off. While some RTS upgrades are straightforward, others may require multiple visits by engineers and innovative solutions from the taskforce’s technical group.

The commendable work of the RTS Taskforce and the commitment to the Call To Action have received positive feedback from consumer groups and charities, underscoring the importance of protecting consumers and ensuring a smooth transition away from RTS technology.

Consumer Scotland’s CEO, Sam Ghibaldan, stressed the urgency of taking action to prevent harm resulting from the RTS switch-off. They encouraged affected households to proactively contact their supplier for a meter replacement and urged suppliers to reach out to RTS customers who may not be aware of the impact on their services.

As part of Ofgem’s working group on this issue, Consumer Scotland remains committed to monitoring progress and collaborating to safeguard consumers in Scotland.