Longwave radio signal phase-out begins for RTS electricity meters

A phased shutdown of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), which relies on longwave radio signals from the BBC, will begin this summer, starting with a limited rollout affecting around 600 homes.

The RTS has been in use since the 1980s, using the BBC’s longwave infrastructure to automatically switch older electricity meters between peak and off-peak tariffs and control heating and hot water. With the infrastructure now reaching the end of its life, a cautious transition away from the service is underway.