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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress he has made on a communications solution for signal penetration issues which prevent the installation of smart meters in properties.

The Data Comms Company has contracted for Wide Area Network coverage for at least 99.25% of premises in Great Britain. The Government’s strategy for smart metering Home Area Network (HAN) coverage aims to ensure 100% HAN coverage. The core solution ensures 70% of premises have Home Area Network coverage. This will increase to around 95% of premises from early 2019. Industry is working to develop HAN solutions for the remaining c. 5% of premises.