Advanced Metering System Project- Arkansas

An advanced digital meter, sometimes called a smart meter, uses advanced metering and secure wireless technology to communicate between the meter and the utility and provide timely and accurate meter reading data. As SWEPCO adds new home energy management tools, the AMS meters will give customers more information to manage their energy use and costs. The AMS meters also will enable future capabilities like faster response to new service connections and other service requests, as well as automatic detection of power outages for a quicker start to repairs.

AMS will replace SWEPCO’s current Automated Meter Reading system, which requires driving by customers’ premises for monthly meter reading, and physical visits to the locations for connection/disconnection or other meter service. SWEPCO’s current version of AMR meters are no longer being produced, and systems are becoming obsolete. SWEPCO’s deployment plan is consistent with Arkansas legislation that encourages AMS deployment as rapidly as practical to allow customers to better manage energy use and control costs.

Yes. Many electric meters provide monthly total energy usage, but AMS meters capture data at 15-minute intervals, providing customers a much more detailed look at how they use energy. They can make more informed decisions about how and when to use energy in order to save energy and money. As SWEPCO implements new home energy management tools, customers will be able to access their information by smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Customers should have access to these tools approximately six weeks after the smart meter is installed.

Service request capabilities will be available for Arkansas customers shortly after the AMS deployment starts, including outage detection.

Yes. The meters and the associated communication system are encrypted and equipped with security features to prevent unauthorized access. SWEPCO is required to comply with all federal laws regarding the privacy, protection and disclosure of personal information. State law prohibits SWEPCO from providing customer information to outside third parties without the customer’s express permission.

No. All communications equipment meets criteria set by the Federal Communications Commission and should not interfere with any equipment inside a home or business.

Yes. AMS meters use radio frequencies (RFs) to communicate. RFs emitted by digital meters are well below that produced by other common household devices like cell phones, microwaves, baby monitors and home WiFi networks. The RFs are also well below the limit set by the Federal Communications Commission. The American Cancer Society has found no link between smart meters and cancer. More information: SmartGrid Consumer Collaborative’s “Radio Frequency and Smart Meters”

SWEPCO’s AMS deployment plan includes a provision for customers to “opt-out” and elect a non-standard meter, with a proposed one-time fee and a proposed recurring monthly customer fee. The fees will be established to cover all costs of non-standard metering services and to recover those costs from the customers who elect non-standard metering service. SWEPCO's proposed one-time and monthly fees associated with the non-standard metering were filed on April 18 and are subject to Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) approval.

As the capabilities of AMS meters are enabled in Arkansas, customers with a non-standard meter will not have access to their near-real-time energy usage information through SWEPCO’s home energy management tools. Other future capabilities – like faster response to new service connections and other service requests, as well as automatic detection of power outages for a quicker start to repairs – will not be available.

AMS meters will be read automatically with no need for monthly visits by meter personnel. However, the non-standard meter will require meter personnel to drive to the vicinity and collect data with an on-board receiver in the utility truck.

If customers do not opt-out of the AMS meter, there will be no upfront costs associated with the deployment of meters. SWEPCO has requested cost recovery of the AMS program in its base rate case filed in APSC Docket No. 25-003-U.

Installations will begin in 2025 across SWEPCO’s Arkansas service territory. They are expected to be completed by 2026.

You will experience a brief power outage when we replace the meter. We expect the power outage to be no longer than a few minutes.

SWEPCO will conduct an outreach program to inform customers about the new metering system and how they can use it to manage their energy usage and costs. SWEPCO will notify individual customers prior to installation at their home or business. Notification may include postcard, email, phone or a door hanger. Customers receive Customer Education Reports via email from SWEPCO, beginning with a welcome letter a month after meter installation that introduces the meter and offers personalized energy use insights, followed by an engagement report two months later that guides them to access more energy trends and enroll in additional AMS program.

Yes. We will need access to customers’ existing meters and will notify customers in advance of the installation schedule. We will work with customers regarding any concerns about access for the meter change-out.

No. A meter technician will leave a door hanger if access or other conditions prevent the meter exchange. Arrangements for special circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

You will be notified in advance when we will be in your area. To be ready, please clear access to your meter. Be sure there is a clear path to the meter and the area is free of other objects and debris. If you have a locked gate or other restrictions that would prevent our technicians from accessing the meter, please be sure to contact us and secure your pets.

Most installation will be completed by contractors working for SWEPCO. More information will be provided prior to installation. Technicians will not need access inside your home and will not ask you for money or personal information.

No. Customers should be wary of any unverified communications received over telephonic, written, or electronic means requesting customer identification, banking or payment information, or subscription services for AMS product costs. If you receive such communications, or are approached by a party other than SWEPCO, please verify by calling SWEPCO to report the contact at 1.888.216.3523.