Smart meter communication services
The Smart Metering Implementation Programme is a Government Major Project Portfolio (GMPP) Programme that is estimated to deliver a net benefit to Great Britain of £6 billion 2 . The Government believes that its successful implementation is key for delivering energy bill reductions, improved customer service and the cost-effective delivery of net zero, by enabling the integration of renewables and emerging technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles.
	Central to the operation of smart metering is the activity of communicating to and from smart metering systems. The GB-wide smart meter communication service is provided by a single licensed entity, regulated by the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA). Smart DCC Ltd was awarded the smart meter communication licence under section 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 and section 7AB of the Gas Act 1986 in September 2013 following an open competition and the licence term is coming to an end.
	This Act provides the Authority with flexibility to determine the best process to follow in appointing the successor smart meter communication licensee. This intends to ensure that the Authority is able to appoint a successor in a timely and efficient way that is in the best interest of energy consumers.