Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of using broadband to connect smart meters in rural areas where connection through current means of information transfers is unavailable.

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is required to provide smart meter network coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain.

This is a dedicated network developed in coordination with industry security experts and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that robust security controls are in place. The network relies upon a variety of technologies to deliver connectivity, including cellular mobile, wireless mesh radio and long-range radio.

In addition to delivering high levels of existing coverage, the DCC is also required by licence conditions to seek to provide coverage to all premises where practicable and cost proportionate.