Octopus issues warning to 600,000 people 'who face losing hot water'

The company, which is rivalled by the likes of British Gas, EDF, EOn, Ovo and more, says outdated Radio Teleswitch meters are set to stop working in June 2025.
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Octopus has issued a warning to 600,000 people who face being "left in the cold" amid the energy crisis. The company, which is rivalled by the likes of British Gas, EDF, EOn, Ovo and more, says outdated Radio Teleswitch meters are set to stop working in June 2025.

133,000 Octopus customers in Britain have been urged to respond to their supplier as a result. RTS equipment receives updates through Long Wave radio broadcast, the same radio frequency as the BBC uses for radio programming.

The BBC has announced plans to migrate unique Long Wave content to other broadcasting platforms – effectively ending RTS communication capabilities on 30th June 2025. Octopus is fast-tracking upgrades for its customers, covering nearly a quarter of affected households.

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John Szymik, CEO of Octopus Energy Services, comments: "Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating. We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition."

Smart meters are important for the energy transition and unlock the power of smart tariffs. Customers with smart meters also have more control and oversight over their energy consumption and costs, the energy provider has gone on to say.

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Octopus is also offering all RTS customers who opt for the switch a free Octopus Home Mini – the company’s very first hardware product, designed in-house and built in England. The nifty device securely connects to a customer’s smart meter, giving customers real-time visibility of how much energy they are using and what costs – helping them to better manage their bills at the click of a button on their phone.

Affected customers who are looking to switch to a smart meter can register their interest on their online account, Octopus has said.