Comparing top smart meter connectivity options in Europe

By Neil Bosworth

PUBLISHED 2 Jul 2026

Image of a pink wall with pink meter cabinets containing smart electricity meters

Technology	Lifetime support	Performance resilience	Long-term value
Technology PLC	Lifetime support Low – Long-established technology, but increasing electrical noise, higher data demands and evolving grid conditions challenge long-term suitability.	Performance resilience Low – Susceptible to electrical noise and DCU failures, resilience can be improved by deploying more DCUs. Requires hybrid set up (RF mesh) for coverage and reliability.	Long-term value Medium/low – Low-cost modems in meters, very expensive DCUs, heavy maintenance, cleaning and continuous tuning (truck rolls).
Technology Cellular	Lifetime support Medium – Excellent capability today, but subject to network sunsets and dependence on mobile operator technology lifecycles.	Performance resilience Medium/high – Mature, resilient public infrastructure. eSIM can improve operator resilience and coverage.	Long-term value Medium – Low deployment effort but high BOM cost, recurring subscriptions, migration programmes and technology refreshes increase lifetime cost.
Technology NR+ RF mesh	Lifetime support High – Self-evolving architecture with dedicated utility spectrum. Dedicated smart meter network under the control of the DSO. Able to manage 1 minute data transfers to HES.	Performance resilience High – Self-healing mesh with multiple communication paths and no single point of failure.	Long-term value High – No additional hardware infrastructure, only meters. Few cellular backhaul connections, no cellular subscriptions for every meter, resilient by design and utility-owned.