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Chameleon Technology has just become one of the first to provide a Virtual WAN (VWAN) solution to help resolve the problems that over 350,000 hard-to-reach UK homes have with Energy Smart Meters, which sometimes struggle to send data back to suppliers via their mobile networks. The new solution will instead use your home broadband (WiFi) service.
Regular readers may recall that we covered this problem a couple of times last year (here and here). In short, not all Smart Meters are within range of the wireless networking solutions (2G, 3G, 4G or LRR) that are used to send data back to the centralised Data Communications Company‘s (DCC) Smart Meter Wide Area Network (SMWAN), which in turn provides that information to energy suppliers.
Back in December 2023 the previous Government’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) started to tackle this by issuing a new consultation. This included proposals to create arrangements whereby communications with Smart Metering Systems installed in premises with no Wide Area Network (“No-WAN premises”) could be established via the DCC through use of the customer’s own broadband connection.
At the start of 2025 this was followed by the current Government proposing to implement such a programme (here), which included new architectural arrangements – factoring in the need for tight security – for a new Virtual Wide Area Network (VWAN). Today Chameleon Technology has launched the IHD7-VWAN, a Wi-Fi enabled device (i.e. an “upgrade” for their in-home displays) designed to unlock smart metering for over 350,000 hard-to-reach homes by harnessing your existing home broadband/Wi-Fi network.
The solution uses in-home displays (IHDs) to help boost the data to the DCC, allowing more homes to benefit from smart meters. This new iteration can create two Wi-Fi connections – one a secure tunnel to the DCC, carrying the smart meter data, and one to the Chameleon cloud to enable product support. Consumers will also need to give their consent for this to work on their home broadband connections.
Kyle Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Chameleon Technology, said:
“The Virtual Wide Area Network is a vital development for smart meter connectivity, and the launch of our IHD7-VWAN demonstrates Chameleon’s commitment to supporting this next phase of the rollout. We are continually pushing to help bring the benefits of smart metering to as many homes as possible and feel very proud to be working with the energy industry and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero to continue helping the industry overcome connectivity challenges. Chameleon is leading the way in enabling a more connected, data-driven home energy ecosystem.”
The Smart Meter pictured on this article is a regular IHD7 (IHD7-PPMID) from Chameleon Technology, rather than the new IHD7-VWAN. Just to be clear, the IHD7-VWAN is installed as part of a new deployment and paired with a 4G communications hub where required, so it’s not an add-on if you have an existing IHD7-PPMID display. But either way, it’s an important development that could help resolve the connectivity problems of some Smart Meters.