What is a communications hub?
A communications hub is installed in homes and businesses to connect the DCC's secure network to smart gas and electric meters and allow smart meters and in-home displays to connect to each other. The communications hub sits next to or on top of the electricity smart meter in your home. In addition to a standard Communications Hub, there is also a Dual Band Communication Hub, which provides a better range for premises where needed.
Communications hub information & specifications
Useful documents
Temporary Communications Hub Ordering Delivery Rules V2.0.pdf
pdf | 238.24 kb
Intimate Communications Hub Interface Specification (ICHIS) V3.1
pdf | 1.65 mb
Communications Hub Supporting Information
pdf | 1.02 mb
Communication Hub Order Policy (CHOP)
pdf | 609.65 kb
Ordering Test Comms Hubs (Non SEC Party)
pdf | 201.33 kb
Wide Area Network (WAN) Selection Arrangements
pdf | 385.08 kb
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the communications hubs?
DCC is responsible for managing the supply and delivery of communications hubs to energy suppliers and their installation partners, and for managing and verifying the firmware used on communications hubs across the smart metering network.
Energy suppliers are responsible for arranging the installation of communications hubs as part of a smart meter installation, typically through their appointed installation partners.
A communications hub is installed alongside a smart electricity meter in homes and businesses. It acts as the gateway between smart meters, in-home displays and DCC's secure national network, enabling data to be transferred securely between the premises and authorised users of the smart metering system.
The communications hub journey can be summarised as follows:
- DCC supplies communications hubs to energy suppliers and their installation partners.
- The communications hub is installed by energy suppliers during a smart meter installation.
- It connects smart meters and in-home displays using the Smart Meter Home Area Network (SM HAN).
- It then connects to DCC's Wide Area Network (WAN).
- Smart meter data is then securely transferred to authorised energy suppliers and customers.
What wireless networks do communications hubs connect to?
In central and southern regions, cellular and wireless mesh technology (provided by Virgin Media O2) will be used to connect to the SM WAN, while in northern regions, the communications hub will use long-range radio (provided by Arqiva) for wide area communications.
What type of communications system does the communications hub and smart meter use?
The communications hub and smart meter uses Zigbee to connect to each other and the DCC network. It is simple, inexpensive, low power and secure.
The range of this technology is about 15m, but this is reduced by obstructions such as walls and doors.
As a result, sometimes a standard communications hub cannot connect to the DCC network. To get round this problem, DCC have developed a new type of communications hub called a dual band communications hub.
Further reading
