SMU employee

AMI FAQ

What is AMI?

Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, is a technology solution that allows SMU to read utility meters remotely and share the information with customers. SMU has been using radio read meters for 15 years that provide a single direction of information flow-from the meter to the utility and with the new AMI meters, SMU and its customers will have the ability to share information about usage which will enhance efficiency for customers.

How does advanced metering benefit me?

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will provide customers with better information to use utility resources more efficiently. Customers will have access to more detailed information about energy and water usage using Spencer Municipal Utilities SmartHub web and mobile app customer portal. This data will also help SMU address customer questions about usage.

If you need assistance setting up your SmartHub account, please contact our customer service center at (712) 580-5800.

What will advanced metering cost me?

There will be no additional customer bill charges for this meter upgrade. The project is being funded out of normal operating budgets for equipment upgrades.

Why are we upgrading our meters?

Spencer Municipal Utilities routinely upgrades equipment according to industry standards. SMU’s current electric meters are at the end of their life and AMI meters are currently the utility standard. When SMU makes equipment upgrades it allows for efficient operations and is more cost effective.

What is an advanced meter?

An Advanced Meter allows for 2-way communication on an Advanced Metering network. Meters communicate with nearby 2-way field collector radios and send data back to the database. The meter collects usage data in 15-minute increments for electric meters and data is loaded to customer accounts on a regular basis.

Is advanced metering a new technology?

No, Advanced Metering has been around for some time and is a utility standard. SMU has been using radio read meters since its last meter upgrade in 2008 to 2009.

Will I have access to my meter data?

Yes. As the conversion project takes place, customers will have access to more detailed information about electricity and water usage patterns through Spencer Municipal Utilities SmartHub web and mobile app customer portal. The additional knowledge of usage patterns will help customers make better choices about how to use utility resources.

If you need assistance setting up your SmartHub account, please contact our customer service center at (712) 580-5800.

Is my information safe?

Yes, data transmitted from the meter with the AMI technology is encrypted throughout the entire process. There is no personal identifying information captured or transmitted by the meter.

Are the radio frequencies utilized by the new equipment harmful to my health?

Although the AMI meters utilize radio frequency (RF) technology, they represent no known health hazards and emit significantly lower exposure levels than most other typical devices. RF emitted by AMI meters is well below the limits set by the FCC and below the levels produced by other common household devices like cell phones, and microwave ovens.

SMU’s AMI meters operate on the 902MHz to 928MHz space which has been used for many years for HAM radios, US Navy Radiolocation systems, FM repeaters, in-home cordless phones, remote controls, and some varieties of Wi-Fi. These meters only transmit for a few seconds out of every hour.