What is this?
A programme of stakeholder workshops to support development of DCC's second ex ante business plan (April 2028 to March 2031).
Why now?
This programme builds on stakeholder engagement undertaken to inform DCC's first Business Strategy and Technology Roadmap (BSTR) and focuses specifically on priorities for the next business plan period that will be reflected in the draft business plan submission in the coming months.
What are we seeking input on?
Customer and consumer outcomes
Measures of success
Investment priorities and trade-offs
Cost, performance and risk choices
Opportunities, dependencies and delivery risks
Who can participate?
SEC Parties and other interested stakeholders. We encourage organisations to nominate colleagues with relevant expertise.
How will engagement take place?
Primarily through these open workshops, supported where appropriate by engagement with specialist SEC sub-committees, existing segment-specific SEC forums, consumer representatives, and bilateral discussions.
Get Involved
Session Information
SMETS1, SMETS2 2G and LRR services
11 Nov: 13:30 – 16:00
Follow up session: 23 Nov 13:30 – 16:00
Areas where we are seeking stakeholder input
The future approach to maintaining reliable connectivity for consumers served through SMETS1, SMETS2 2G and Long-Range Radio services.
How DCC can manage service transition and technology change while minimising operational risk and customer disruption.
Approaches to sustaining service performance, resilience and coverage throughout the business plan period.
The measures that best demonstrate successful customer and consumer outcomes.
Balancing cost, risk and value for money when making investment and service planning decisions.
Existing 4G service; VWAN; enduring connectivity
17 Nov: 13:30 – 16:00
Follow up session: 2 Dec 10:00 – 12:30
Areas where we are seeking stakeholder input
The future evolution of DCC connectivity services and how best to support long-term coverage, resilience and flexibility requirements.
Approaches to maintaining and enhancing connectivity outcomes as communications technologies and market offerings evolve.
The role of alternative and complementary connectivity solutions in supporting service availability and customer outcomes.
Opportunities to optimise network performance, capacity management and operational resilience across DCC's connectivity services.
Balancing customer benefits, service performance, future readiness and value for money when prioritising investment decisions.
Enabling Services: Privacy and Security, Meter Data Management, Service Management and Testing
16 Nov: 13:30 – 16:00
Follow up session: 30 Nov: 10:00 – 12:30
Areas where we are seeking stakeholder input
Future approaches to security, cryptographic and trust services – protecting trust in a changing world, and strengthening privacy & security against evolving cyber threats
Technology and service evolution within meter data management capabilities – protecting billing integrity and critical services while evolving meter data management capabilities.
Enhancements to testing environments and future testing capabilities - supporting reliable change and service assurance.
Trade-offs between service improvements, risk reduction and cost.
Data Services and Enabling Services follow up
30 Nov: 10:00 – 12:30
Areas where we are seeking stakeholder input
Customer priorities for future data services and the experience they should provide.
Expectations for smart meter data access, including consent, governance and access models.
Priorities for future innovation investment and the progression of emerging data service opportunities.
Switching
Further details coming soon.
Further Information
Who should take part?
Nominate the colleagues best placed to contribute to each session. Participants do not need to attend every workshop and should select the sessions most relevant to their role and expertise.
Interested but unable to attend?
If you're unable to attend but would like to contribute, please contact customerengagement@smartdcc.co.uk. We can arrange alternative ways for you to provide input where appropriate.
What happens next?
After the workshops, we will publish relevant outputs and explain how stakeholder feedback has informed business plan development. Further engagement may take place to respond to feedback.