Article 21 Insertion of section 7AB (licensing of a person providing a smart meter communication service)

After section 7A^f1, insert—

“Licensing of a person providing a smart meter communication service

7AB.

(1)

Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the Authority may grant a licence authorising a person to provide a smart meter communication service (“a smart meter communication licence”).

(2)

Subject to subsections (3) and (5), the Secretary of State may grant a smart meter communication licence.

(3)

The Secretary of State may not grant a smart meter communication licence after 1 November 2018.

(4)

The first smart meter communication licence may only be granted by the Secretary of State.

(5)

A person may not be granted a smart meter communication licence unless the same person is at the same time granted a licence under section 6(1)(f) of the Electricity Act 1989^f2.”.