Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the proportion of households in the North of England that are unable to connect to the Data Communications Company smart meter network; and what steps he has taken to improve coverage in rural and hard-to-reach locations.

The DCC is obligated to provide WAN coverage to 99.5% of premises across its ‘North’ region, which includes the North of England. After consultation with industry, energy suppliers can now install 4G cellular smart meter communication hubs across the whole of GB. 4G will operate in the North alongside long-range radio communications for smart meters, offering suppliers an additional option for connectivity. Additionally, a new solution using consumers’ broadband connections, with consumer consent, in areas still with no WAN coverage will be piloted early next year, with a wider rollout expected later in 2026.