# Order Process Smart Meter

Written by Philip Janz  
May 5, 2026

## 🧭 1. What does the Smart Meter ordering process look like?

The path from ordering a Smart Meter to switching to the dynamic SimplyDynamic tariff works as follows:

- Check availability & cost (Website/App)
- Place your Smart Meter order
- Ostrom reviews your data & forwards your order to the grid operator
- Grid operator checks feasibility & schedules an installation appointment
- Smart Meter is installed at your home
- Meter data is transmitted via market communication
- Grid operator switches you to **registrierende Lastgangmessung (RLM)**
- Switch to the SimplyDynamic tariff once regular consumption data is received

## 🌐 2. How can I order a Smart Meter?

👉 You can request a Smart Meter in two ways:

- through our **website**, or
- directly in your **Ostrom app**

Prerequisite: You must be located in a **cooperating grid area**.

[Link to Website](/content/smart-meter?_gl=1*1o2tkfi*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8TJBhDNARIsAPX5qxSoH0MLXFktyW85bn8fYXbKbi5vVDgR9AEKw43J6srdRnSqeFBIctUaAmzGEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAABhgVL0FwYZ0LudFtK-7QH0cbh9aF/index.html)

## 📍 3. How do I know if a Smart Meter is possible at my location—and what it costs?

On our website, simply enter:

- your **postcode**, and
- your **annual electricity consumption**

You will then see:

- whether we have a **partnership with your grid operator**, and
- how much the installation of the Smart Meter will cost.

💬 If you want to know the **exact cost** for your specific Smart Meter, just ask us in the chat.

## 📤 4. What happens after I place my order?

After you submit your order:

- we **review your data**, and
- we **forward all Smart Meter orders to the grid operator at the beginning of each month**.

You don’t need to take any further action — we handle everything.

## 🏢 5. What does the grid operator do after receiving the order?

After receiving your order, your grid operator checks:

- whether a Smart Meter **can technically be installed** at your location.

If the check is successful:

- the grid operator will contact you directly with an **installation date proposal**, or
- a service company commissioned by the grid operator (e.g., a metering technician) will contact you to schedule the installation.

## 🚫 6. What happens if installation is not possible?

If your grid operator **cannot** perform the installation:

- we will contact you
- and inform you of the **reason for the rejection**.

Once the grid operator declines the installation, **Ostrom can no longer mediate the meter change on your behalf.**

👉 **What can you do?** You have two options to get your meter changed:

- Contact your **grid operator (Netzbetreiber)** directly to discuss alternatives or find out when installation may become possible.
- Reach out to a **wettbewerbliche Messstellenbetreiber (wMSB)** — a competitive metering point operator who can install the meter independently of the grid operator.

## 📋 7. What are typical reasons for rejection?

Some common reasons why a Smart Meter **cannot be installed** are:

- 🔧 **Metering concept** (incompatible setup)
- ⚙️ **Controllable consumption devices**
- 🧩 **Competitive metering operator (wMSB)** active at the supply point
- 📡 **Insufficient signal** at the meter location
- 🌞 **Feed-in systems** (e.g., PV systems requiring special metering concepts)
- 🔗 **Meter cascades**

Important notes:

- Not all reasons apply to all grid operators.
- Grid operators are at **different stages of Smart Meter rollout**.
- Many operators are working on **adapting metering concepts** or finding **alternative solutions** (e.g., when there is no signal at the meter location).

## ⏱️ 8. How long does the grid operator have to carry out the installation?

Once the feasibility check is successful, the grid operator has:

- **up to 4 months** to install the Smart Meter in your home.

## 🔧 9. How long does the installation take?

The installation of your Smart Meter typically takes:

- about **30 minutes**.

## 📸 10. What should I do after the installation?

After your Smart Meter is installed, you are welcome to:

- send us a **photo of your new meter** (e.g., in the chat).

Important:

- We **cannot** manually add your new meter to our system.
- All meter data must be transmitted to us via **market communication** from your metering point operator.

## ⏳ 11. How long does data transmission take—and what if nothing happens?

Data transmission times vary by metering operator, but:

- typically, all data should arrive **within 12 weeks**.

If your meter data **has not arrived within 12 weeks**:

➡️ Please contact us so we can follow up with your metering operator.

## 📊 12. Why is switching to RLM important for the dynamic tariff?

To use our **SimplyDynamic** tariff, we need:

- confirmation from your grid operator that your metering setup has been switched to **registrierende Lastgangmessung (RLM)**.

Only then can we receive your **interval consumption data** (e.g., every 15 minutes).

📅 Since **December 1st, 2024**:

- the supplier’s right to choose the forecast basis has been removed.
- your **grid operator** is now responsible for performing the **automatic rebalancing (Umbilanzierung)**.

Further details can be found in the:

​ [📄 _"Application Guide – 24-Hour Supplier Change (Electricity)" (BDEW)_](chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.bdew.de/media/documents/BDEW-Anwendungshilfe_Lieferantenwechsel_24_Stunden_Strom_Version_1.6.pdf), see **page 120**.

## 🔁 13. When will I be switched to the SimplyDynamic tariff?

As soon as all requirements are met:

1. We receive **regular interval consumption data** via market communication.
2. We then switch you to SimplyDynamic at the **next possible date**.
3. You will receive a **tariff change confirmation by email** with all important information.