Smart Meter Communication Licence tender
- Publication type:
- Guidance
- Publication date:
- Topic:
- Smart meters, Metering
- Subtopic:
- Data Communications Company (DCC), Smart meters
- Industry sector:
- Supply and Retail Market
- Licence type:
- Smart Meter Communication Licence
Review of the regulatory arrangements for the Data Communications Company (DCC) before the Licence ends in September 2027.
As part of the DCC Review process, we must identify and select a Successor Licensee to hold the new Smart Meter Communication Licence (SMCL). We will select a new Licensee by running an open competitive tender process.
Take part in the tender process
The tender process Qualification stage opened to all applicants on 8 September 2025 and closed on 6 October 2025. As per the regulation 7(2) requirements of the Electricity and Gas (Competitive Tenders for Smart Meter Communication Licences) Regulations 2012 (‘the Tender Regulations’), we published a notice on this webpage that the qualification stage had commenced.
Successful applicants at Qualification stage were invited to a closed Proposal stage that opened on 5 November 2025.
Background
Following an Expression of Interest in March 2025, we decided to run a competitive selection process to identify the Successor Licensee for the SMCL. The process will be run in line with the Tender Regulations.
The process begins with a Qualification stage that is open to any applicant. Applicants who demonstrate eligibility, capability and capacity to deliver the obligations of the new SMCL will be invited to a closed Proposal stage after which we will either run a best and final offer stage or award the Licence directly. Below is a timeline of the process.
Timeline
Expression of interest and questionnaire, March 2025
Evaluation criteria published, July 2025
Licence application competition opens, September 2025
Qualification stage, 8 September 2025 – to 6 October 2025
Proposal stage, 5 November 2025 to 12 January 2026
If required, Best and final offer stage, February 2026
Successor licensee selected, February/March 2026
The attached document ‘SMCL tender document – evaluation criteria assessment framework’ provides guidance about the selection process, and the evaluation criteria against which applicants will be assessed at the relevant stages. Applicants will be assessed on a range of criteria including technical capability, financial standing, delivery approach and alignment with regulatory objectives. Further details will be made available at each stage of the selection process.