19.—(1) Section 5(1) (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—
who is authorised, in accordance with the conditions of a licence, to supply gas to domestic premises; and
who supplies gas to domestic premises in accordance with that licence;
“external electronic communications network” means a network which—
is an electronic communications network, within the meaning of section 32 of the Communications Act 2003(2); and
does not form part of a smart meter;
“relevant information” means information relating to the supply of gas; and
“smart meter” means—
a gas meter which can send and receive information using an external electronic communications network; or
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.”.
Section 5 was substituted by section 3 of the Gas Act 1995 (c. 45). Relevant amendments were made by section 108 of and Schedules 6 (Part 1, paragraphs 1 and 3) and 8 to the Utilities Act 2000 (c. 27) and section 149 of the Energy Act 2004 (c. 20).
2003 c. 21, as amended by SI 2011/1210.