Data Communications Company: Business Plan Guidance and Price Control Processes and Procedures (second Price Control Period)
- Publication type:
- Consultation
- Publication date:
- Closing date:
- 1 December 2026
- Status:
- Open
- Topic:
- Metering
- Subtopic:
- Data Communications Company (DCC)
Consultation on the draft Business Plan Guidance for the Data Communications Company for the second Price Control Period starting on 1 April 2028.
Consultation description
The Data Communications Company (DCC) provides the secure communications network for smart metering in England, Scotland and Wales. It operates as a monopoly, and its costs are subject to Ofgem’s control under a licence regime.
In advance of the second forward-looking (ex-ante) Price Control Period, we are consulting on a combined Business Plan Guidance and Price Control processes and procedures. It sets out:
- the business planning process and the requirements on the mandatory content and presentation which DCC must follow in preparing its draft Business Plan Report
- the criteria and principles we are likely to follow in assessing DCC's Price Control submission
- how we will assess the quality of the Price Control submission
- guidance on the operation of Uncertainty Mechanisms
- guidance on annual End-of-Year reporting
It should be read alongside the Smart Meter Communication Licence and the Regulatory Instructions and Guidance.
Who should respond
We would like responses from a wide range of parties, including:
- DCC
- DCC’s customers (energy suppliers, networks, innovators and other users)
- industry bodies, consumer organisations
- any other persons with an interest in smart metering
How to respond
Submit your response by 1 December 2026 by emailing Jakub Komarek at DCCregulation@ofgem.gov.uk.