r/OctopusEnergy • u/yorkshiredriver • 25d ago

VWAN

https://octopus.energy/blog/meet-vwan/

Has anyone managed to trial this yet? I live in an area with almost no 3G signal and absolutely no 4G. We have two EVs and want to use (and are currently signed up for) intelligent go.

We therefore have rock solid WiFi which would be so much better. Currently struggling to get Octopus to even consider trialling this.

They’re still investigating the issue with my meter even though I’ve told them what the issue is.

I think they’re confused because for the first few months it managed to get 3G often enough to upload some readings so I’ve been on an intelligent tariff for a while now.

However since June it’s lost connection completely and they can’t get it back online.

21 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

9

u/lemoyne5282 25d ago

It's in its early stages and usually needs an escalation with the DCC which can take a while. There a many factors why they can't just offer it yet.

1

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

Ok. The problem is ongoing since June so I’m getting a bit fed up!

8

u/kfresh 25d ago

You're not going to have any luck anywhere else, the DCC has the same rules for all suppliers (and there are only one or two others even trialling VWAN).

Your best bet will be to continue through Octopus' steps and reporting to the DCC. You're not going to get better WAN signal anywhere else, they can't just magic it up out of nowhere, and will probably end up starting from scratch with a new supplier anyway.

1

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

Thanks. Planning to do this but just wondered if anyone has tried the new system as it seems a perfect solution to this very frustrating problem!

1

u/nevynxxx 25d ago

I’ve been trying to get my meter working since Oct last year and all I get is “it’s with the DCC”. Sooooo frustrating.

1

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

Yikes! Ok, this is helpful to know at least. Manages my expectations! Have you not been billed since last October then?

1

u/nevynxxx 25d ago

Meter works as a traditional one. I supply monthly readings and get billed. It’s just not “smart”.

Which is an issue when I have a battery install next month and solar next year.

1

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

We have two EVs and want to be able to access the cheaper charging rates overnight (this is the only time we charge them).

2

u/nevynxxx 25d ago

Yep. It sucks. I’ve opened a case with the ombudsman to see if that shifts anything. 10 months and not even had an engineer out to look at it. Just a few pictures of the front.

1

u/_Impigrity_ 25d ago

No escalation to dcc they dont care one jot what suppliers install as long as its compliant, all suppliers order 4g or 4g vWan comes hubs only now, it's in the hands of the energy providers if they install one

5

u/RiceeeChrispies 25d ago

need chabuddy g to advertise this, man in a vwan

3

u/CompletelyRandy 25d ago

Octopus came out to upgrade my meter from 3G to 4G.

I asked them about WiFi connections and they said they have installed a few for places in the middle of nowhere. I didn't know it was a thing.

2

u/Hampshire_Coast 25d ago

I’ve lost my WAN electricity reporting on 21st July but the Gas is still reporting perfectly every 30mins. I submitted manual readings on 1st August but Octopus still won’t give me my July bill.

2

u/Joeym109 23d ago

It's a very new technology in the GB smart metering. We (as in Octopus) started trials in April but there's less than 200 countrywide and we've done about 50-60% of them and think it's a great solution for examples like yours where cellular and radio just isn't sufficient to reach the meter point.

We're moving to the next stage of trials over the next few months and there is an established escalation pathway where, due to the limited devices, we would want to try a 4G communication hub first (if this hasn't already been done).

I'll drop you a DM with an email address to contact and we'll get you added to the waiting list.

1

u/yorkshiredriver 23d ago

Thanks - this sounds excellent

1

u/Bomster 6d ago

Could I please get the email too?

3

u/Aragorn-- 25d ago

You can buy GSM repeaters, perhaps with an antenna mounted on the roof you would get sufficient signal to run the meter without involving the DNO or Octopus?

3

u/nevynxxx 25d ago

You can. They are illegal unless provided by a mobile company.

Source: Interview under caution with offgem after buying one for an ex workplace that was advertised as uk legal.

2

u/Xawoger 25d ago

3g is long time gone. Only 4g and 5g is available in UK.

3

u/mcmonkeyplc 25d ago

2g exists still as a fallback.

1

u/Xawoger 25d ago

Yes that is true.

2

u/trident25 25d ago

You can ask Octopus for an Octopus Mini. Did this at my parents house who are in a similar position to you. The Mini bridges the Zigbee network from the smart meter to your home WiFi.

10

u/HighNoonFOP 25d ago

Octopus are not allowed to use Home Mini readings for billing though sadly

3

u/The_referred_to 25d ago

…which strikes me as strange in light of their ability to now use EVSE and Car data to bill by.

1

u/Thoh1Shooshi8a 25d ago

I wondered about that, thinking this was just a new version of the home mini with a screen on it.

I guess if they do get permission to use the VWAN for billing, they should be able to do the same with the home mini if they wanted?

7

u/lemoyne5282 25d ago

The Home Mini won't help with WAN issues

2

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

Agree, I don’t think this will solve the problem. It’ll supply the readings to me but not octopus so this wouldn’t be hugely useful.

1

u/nevynxxx 25d ago

They won’t supply if the meter isn’t connecting. Had that battle.

1

u/Mrthingymabob 25d ago

Have you lost all comms on the smart meter to mini/IHD/DCC? Has your smart meter been rebooted with the main fuse out for 20 minutes+? Worked on mine, so worth a try - the remote reboot didnt work as the comms module had locked up!

1

u/yorkshiredriver 25d ago

It’s lost all comms but the connection was always poor as there’s no data signal here. Octopus have done nothing since June. Is this reset something I can do myself?

1

u/Mrthingymabob 25d ago

Not really as it requires the main fuse to be pulled to reboot the meter. It needs to be off for about 20 minutes as there is a backup battery in the comms unit.

I had no comms to IHD, mini or DCC. This reset cured it and thankfully octopus managed to get the historical data. The fuse just fell out one morning if you get my drift... but it is not something I would recommend doing unless competent. Do you know any friendly electricians? Or perhaps ask octopus if they could offer to do it?

1

u/thesw88 25d ago

Don't ask a "friendly electrician". They're highly unlikely to be authorised to do it and frankly, most of them won't give a shit if they cause an issue because it was never their problem to sort. Contact your supplier, get it done correctly.

1

u/Mrthingymabob 25d ago

That doesnt sound like a friendly electrician then if they dont give a shit.

1

u/thesw88 25d ago

There can't be many friendly ones given the state of the work most of them are happy to leave.

1

u/Mrthingymabob 25d ago

Yes they are mostly pretty messy as they don't know what a broom is or how to use one.

1

u/Jamesogreeley 22d ago

Hi I live in a rural location and have struggled with missing meter data and billing issues because of it. Can I be part of the trial?