DCC Price Control: November 2026 to March 2028

Details of outcome 

In May 2026 we consulted on our proposals on the Data Communications Company (DCC) Price Control for the period from November 2026 to March 2028. 

This document sets out our decisions on: 

• DCC’s total Required Revenue 
• Allocation of ringfenced funding to specific deliverables 
• Approved Drivers for specific costs  
• Designation of additional Pass-Through Costs 
• The outcomes we expect DCC to deliver during the Price Control Period 

In our decision we took account of responses we received to the consultation and further information and evidence made available to us during the consultation window. 

Read the full outcome 

Consultation description

DCC (Data Communications Company) provides the centralised, secure communications network for smart metering in GB. It operates as a monopoly and its costs are subject to Ofgem’s control under a licence regime.

We are consulting on our proposals for DCC’s Required Revenue in the first  Price Control Period from November 2026 to March 2028. We are moving from an “ex-post” form of price control to a forward-looking “ex-ante” framework as part of broader shift to a new regulatory framework. This is the first time we are fully assessing DCC’s revenues upfront.

This document sets out our analysis and proposals for DCC’s Required Revenue (costs) for the first Price Control Period and the reasons for our proposals.

Who should respond

We welcome responses from a wide range of parties, including:

• DCC
• DCC’s customers (energy suppliers, networks, innovators and other users)
• industry bodies, consumer organisations
• anyone with interest in smart metering