PART 3Amendments to the Gas Act 1986

Amendment to section 5 (prohibition on unlicensed activities)19

1

Section 524 (prohibition on unlicensed activities) is amended as follows.

2

In subsection (1)—

a

omit the word “or” after paragraph (b); and

b

after paragraph (c), insert—

; or

d

provides a smart meter communication service,

3

After subsection (10), insert—

11

A reference in this Part to providing a smart meter communication service is a reference to making arrangements with each domestic supplier to provide a service, for such suppliers, of communicating relevant information to and from smart meters through which gas is supplied to domestic premises.

12

In this section—

  • “domestic supplier” means a gas supplier—

    1. a

      who is authorised, in accordance with the conditions of a licence, to supply gas to domestic premises; and

    2. b

      who supplies gas to domestic premises in accordance with that licence;

  • “external electronic communications network” means a network which—

    1. a

      is an electronic communications network, within the meaning of section 32 of the Communications Act 200325; and

    2. b

      does not form part of a smart meter;

  • “relevant information” means information relating to the supply of gas; and

  • “smart meter” means—

    1. a

      a gas meter which can send and receive information using an external electronic communications network; or

    2. b

      a gas meter and a device which is associated with or ancillary to that meter and which enables information to be sent to and received by the meter using an external electronic communications network.