Nationwide Power Sub-Metering System for Co-Located Radio Equipment
As New Zealand continues to expand mobile coverage, 5G density, and rural broadband, co-location has become the dominant model for deploying new wireless networks nationwide. Instead of building new radio towers, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, many operators now prefer to install their equipment on existing cellular or radio sites for faster, more cost-effective deployment.
Co-location significantly reduces costs and accelerates deployment, but it introduces its own challenges: including how to meter each operator accurately & remotely for the power they consume.
The Challenge
A co-located operator may draw power from the site’s existing supply. Installing a new power supply (ICP)can be cost-prohibitive, making shared power the only practical option.
But without accurate measurement:
- Remote or high-security sites make manual reads impractical
- Operators are invoiced using estimates, not actual consumption
- Site owners carry financial risk and often subsidise usage
- Operator’s finance department loses hours reconciling, allocating, and correcting charges
- Usage cannot be trusted or audited effectively
This problem slows co-location expansion and adds avoidable cost to New Zealand’s mobile and radio networks.
The Smart Metering Solution
Smart Metering developed a purpose-built, nationwide power sub-metering and billing system designed specifically for co-located radio equipment.
End-to-End, Zero-Touch Operation
Smart Metering has designed and implemented a full end-to-end radio tower power usage system, that includes:
- Indoor and outdoor smart metering cabinets
- Certified single-phase and three-phase power meters
- NB-IoT communication devices
- Secure, daily data transfers to Smart Metering’s cloud platform
- Automated monthly invoicing based on actual consumption
- Automated monthly rebates to the site owner
No manual reads. No paperwork. No disputes.
The system runs itself.
How It Works
- A dedicated certified connected check meter is installed on the co-located operator’s equipment feed.
- Daily Consumption meter data is measured accurately and transmitted remotely.
- Smart Metering’s platform automatically generates monthly power consumption invoices to the co-located operator.
- A matching rebate is paid directly to the site owner.
- Both parties can view their usage, history, and billing online at any time.
Nationwide Deployment at Scale
Smart Metering’s power sub-metering solution is now deployed across hundreds of cellular sites throughout New Zealand, supporting major tower owners and co-location operators, including:
- One NZ
- RCG (Rural Connectivity Group)
- New Zealand Police
- Private/commercial tower landlords
This represents one of the largest remote power-metering programs in New Zealand’s telecommunications sector.
Why Operators & Site Owners Choose Smart Metering
- Accurate metering & transparent billing
Direct consumption measurement – no estimates, no back-billing, no disputes. - Zero overhead for site owners
Smart Metering manages all hardware, connectivity, reporting, invoicing, and rebates. - Lower deployment costs for co-location partners
Accurate sub-metering removes the need for costly new power supplies. - Nationwide coverage
NB-IoT comms support rural, remote, and off-grid sites without internet access. - Audit-ready data
Every reading is securely timestamped, archived, and available online 24/7. - Predictable commercial model
Operators pay only for what they consume.
Site owners receive automatic monthly rebates with zero admin.
Powering New Zealand’s Connected Future
As New Zealand builds out next-generation connectivity – from metropolitan 5G to rural broadband and emergency-service communications – accurate power allocation has become essential.
Smart Metering delivers a proven, scalable, and fully automated solution designed specifically for shared telecommunications infrastructure.
Smart Metering. Powering co-location. Powering New Zealand.