Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Non-profit takes over Britain’s smart meter data network
A non-profit operator is taking over Britain’s smart meter data network from Smart DCC, a subsidiary of outsourcing company Capita.
The network connects more than 39 million smart meters across Great Britain.
Smart DCC’s 13-year licence ended after a rollout marked by costly delays and concerns about performance.
The new operator will be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Smart Energy Code Company, overseen by an independent board.
The government had hoped every household would have a smart meter before 2020, but three in 10 households still do not have one.
The spending watchdog says completing the rollout may require another £1.7bn.
The new licence holder is expected to build on the existing network, with more focus on costs, transparency and consumer needs.
Control of Great Britain’s smart meter data network has passed from Smart DCC, a Capita subsidiary, to a non-profit operator.
The new operator is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Smart Energy Code Company and will be governed by an independent board.
The handover ends Smart DCC’s 13-year licence, during which the network faced costly delays and criticism over the rollout.
More than 39 million smart meters are connected to the network, but three in 10 households still do not have a meter.
Capita said it was handing over a secure, resilient network with 99.6% availability.
- Who
- The Smart Energy Code Company’s wholly owned subsidiary is taking over from Smart DCC, a Capita subsidiary.
- What
- Control of the smart meter data network is passing to a not-for-profit operator.
- When
- The handover is taking place this week, according to the article published on 2 November 2026.
- Where
- Great Britain.
- Why
- The government replaced the commercial framework with a not-for-profit public-interest model focused on cost, transparency and consumer needs.
Critics of Smart DCC's stewardship
Capita
Network performance
Critics of Smart DCC's stewardship
The rollout faced costly delays, and millions of households experienced billing issues.
Capita
Capita said it was proud of its 13-year stewardship and handed over a secure, resilient network.
Oversight and conduct
Critics of Smart DCC's stewardship
The regulator investigated procurement contracts, including deals awarded without a competitive process.
Capita
Capita said it had worked with stakeholders to ensure an orderly transition.
Smart DCC received a 13-year licence to set up the country’s first smart meter data network.
The tender process for a new smart network operator took place.
Smart DCC agreed to pay £200,000 into a consumer redress fund.
The new non-profit operator took over running the network.
- Meters connected
- More than 39.2 million
- Homes and small businesses connected
- 23 million
- Network availability
- 99.6%
- Households without a smart meter
- Three in 10
- Consumer redress fund payment
- £200,000
What people are saying
Capita is proud of its 13-year stewardship of DCC. What began as an ambitious programme is now critical national infrastructure, connecting more than 39.2m smart meters across 23m homes and small businesses, with network availability of 99.6%.
played a critical role
let down