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) V3.0
pdf | 1.58 mb
Communications Hub Supporting Information
pdf | 1.29 mb
Communication Hub Order Policy (CHOP)
pdf | 609.65 kb
Ordering Test Comms Hubs (Non SEC Party)
pdf | 201.33 kb
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the communications hubs?
The DCC handles the ordering and delivery of communications hubs to energy suppliers and their agents who fit them during the smart meter installation.
DCC also manages and verifies the available communication hub firmware variants.
Who is responsible for installing and supplying the 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 across the Smart Meter Home Area Network (SM HAN).
The communications hub then connects to the wide area network (WAN) that carries the data to energy retailers and other DCC 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
