The smart meter roll-out saw its 25-millionth installation in February, according to energy insight from telecommunications service provider ElectraLink.

This news comes as outdated Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters stop working in June 2025.

ElectraLink, which manages the Data Transfer Service and facilitates data transfer between energy companies in the UK, has been tracking the smart meter roll-out since 2012.

In February 2025, its data revealed that a major milestone had been reached in the UK as the 25-millionth smart meter had been installed.

February 2025 saw 194,000 smart meters installed – around 4% fewer than February 2024. East England saw the most installations at 23,000, followed by southern England with 21,000 installations and the East Midlands with 19,000.

The smart meter roll-out has had somewhat of a rocky road. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) originally planned to fit a smart meter in every home in the country by 2020. This target was abandoned in 2019 when the government realised there was no chance of it being met.

At that point the target was extended to 2024. However, after Covid-19 caused further delays, another year was added to the deadline. 

In mid-2023, a National Audit Office report found that 57% of all meters in Great Britain were smart.  

The DESNZ’s quarterly report published in November 2024 revealed that as of 30 September 2024 only 65% of all meters were now smart or advanced.

At this rate, it seems unlikely that the target of 100% will be reached by the end of 2025. 

In February 2025, the government moved the goalposts yet again. It launched a consultation on plans to have smart meters installed in 80% of homes and 73% of small businesses by the end of 2025.

With the government falling short of its initial targets, the issue now is that the technology that supports the RTS meter service is being switched off by the end of June 2025.

In October 2024, statistics from the energy regulator Ofgem revealed that 800,000 RTS meters need to be upgraded to a smart meter.

The RTS service, introduced in the 1980s, switches electricity meters between peak and off-peak rates at certain times of day. This lets customers access cheaper, off-peak electricity.

However, the longwave radio signals used to switch tariff rates are being migrated to other broadcasting platforms – effectively ending RTS communication capabilities.

With longwave radio becoming obsolete on 30 June, it means that RTS meters will not work anymore. Those who have this meter may find their heating or hot water provisions are affected.

Energy companies have been urging customers to get in touch to upgrade their meters, saying that those affected will be fast-tracked. 

John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services, said: “Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating. We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition.”