Removing the Enumerations from Communications Method Data Item (J0386) to align with BSC CP 1594
Summary
BSC has raised Change Proposal CP1594 which seeks to create an approvals process and a valid set for communications method. This change is proposing to create an approvals process to allow for the managed end dating of older technologies, such as Public switched telephone network (PSTN), Circuit Switched Data (CSD) and later 2G, and the assessment of the validity of newer communications technologies, such as (but not exclusively) Narrow Band-Intern of Things (NBIoT) and Category M (CAT-M). The evolution of metering communication systems underscores the need for timely updates. Legacy systems risk inefficiencies and potential security vulnerabilities. Implementing an approval process, modelled on BSCP601, ensures a standardised approach to introducing new technologies and managing the exit of old ones. Further justifications include: • To allow for the centrally managed end-dating of redundant communications technologies in line with known deadlines for those technologies to become redundant and unreliable. • To allow for the wider industry education of newer types of communication technologies. • To create and expand the already existing central knowledge base of the evolution and attributes of newer communication technologies as they relate to Settlement Metering Equipment. • To ensure transparency for all industry participants on the newer communications types available and the dates for which legacy communications must be removed. CP1594 will create a valid set, linked to the new approval process and using Data Item J0386 as a conduit to detail the approved communication methods as well as end dates for communication methods which are becoming redundant and unreliable.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
23/08/2024 - This change was successfully implemented as part of the August 2024 Extraordinary REC Release on 23 August 2024.
Impacts Overview
Impacted Consumers
Electricity
Non-Domestic
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
Data Collector
Other Industry Codes impacted
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC)
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
The BSC are making changes to how permissible Outstation communication methods are captured and recorded within the industry. In order to align with these BSC led changes, the REC Data Specification must be reviewed in order to update the affected Data Item – DI50178 (J0386).
Proposed solution summary
- As a Supplier/DNO/MEM, I want to ensure that Market Messages I send or receive to contain up-to-date, accurate data, so that I am able to effectively engage with the wider industry.
- As a non-REC Party Service User I want to ensure that Market Messages I send or receive to contain up-to-date, accurate data, so that I am able to effectively engage with the wider industry.
No documents available.
Change Plan
PARTY IMPACT ASSESSMENT ISSUED
Completed
Start:
16 Apr 2024Due:
25 Apr 2024Completion:
25 Apr 2024PRELIMINARY CHANGE REPORT AND CONSULTATION ISSUED
Completed
Start:
25 Apr 2024Due:
23 May 2024Completion:
23 May 2024FINAL CHANGE REPORT ISSUED
Completed
Start:
23 May 2024Due:
20 Jun 2024Completion:
20 Jun 2024RESPONSIBLE COMMITTEE DECISION
Completed
Start:
20 Jun 2024Due:
02 Jul 2024Completion:
02 Jul 2024Original submission
Change details
Christopher Day - Elexon
16 Apr 2024
Change details
Removing the Enumerations from Communications Method Data Item (J0386) to align with BSC CP 1594
BSC has raised Change Proposal CP1594 which seeks to create an approvals process and a valid set for communications method. This change is proposing to create an approvals process to allow for the managed end dating of older technologies, such as Public switched telephone network (PSTN), Circuit Switched Data (CSD) and later 2G, and the assessment of the validity of newer communications technologies, such as (but not exclusively) Narrow Band-Intern of Things (NBIoT) and Category M (CAT-M).
The evolution of metering communication systems underscores the need for timely updates. Legacy systems risk inefficiencies and potential security vulnerabilities. Implementing an approval process, modelled on BSCP601, ensures a standardised approach to introducing new
technologies and managing the exit of old ones.
Further justifications include:
To allow for the centrally managed end-dating of redundant communications
technologies in line with known deadlines for those technologies to become
redundant and unreliable.
To allow for the wider industry education of newer types of communication
technologies.
To create and expand the already existing central knowledge base of the evolution
and attributes of newer communication technologies as they relate to Settlement
Metering Equipment.
To ensure transparency for all industry participants on the newer communications
types available and the dates for which legacy communications must be removed.
CP1594 will create a valid set, linked to the new approval process and using Data Item J0386 as a conduit to detail the approved communication methods as well as end dates for communication methods which are becoming redundant and unreliable.
The evolution of metering communication systems underscores the need for timely updates. Legacy systems risk inefficiencies and potential security vulnerabilities. Implementing an approval process, modelled on BSCP601, ensures a standardised approach to introducing new
technologies and managing the exit of old ones.
Further justifications include:
To allow for the centrally managed end-dating of redundant communications
technologies in line with known deadlines for those technologies to become
redundant and unreliable.
To allow for the wider industry education of newer types of communication
technologies.
To create and expand the already existing central knowledge base of the evolution
and attributes of newer communication technologies as they relate to Settlement
Metering Equipment.
To ensure transparency for all industry participants on the newer communications
types available and the dates for which legacy communications must be removed.
CP1594 will create a valid set, linked to the new approval process and using Data Item J0386 as a conduit to detail the approved communication methods as well as end dates for communication methods which are becoming redundant and unreliable.
Given the impending timescales for the PSTN shut off, the cessation of CSD (and later the shutdown of 2G) it is imperative that communications methods used for remote Advanced Metering are updated and future proofed as soon as possible. Without a more central intervention of education of the issue and newer communication types, as well as the regulatory end dating of redundant methods, there is a large risk to Settlement and wider industry that a large proportion of the Advanced Metering portfolio will stop communicating at the end of 2025 if these Metering Systems are not upgraded to newer 4G LTE communication methods.
As the new process is linked to the J0386 Data Item within the Retail Energy Code (REC) Energy Market Data Specification (EMDS), Elexon are raising this corresponding REC Change to amend the Communications Method Data Item (J0386) to remove the hard coded
enumerations and instead state the valid set is defined under the BSC within the Communications Method Approval document (which will be created as part of CP1594. This is akin to the current process for managing the Outstation Type Data Item (J0471) but also
remove the need to raise an EMDS change whenever an update to the valid set is required.
It will also allow end dates to be assigned against communication types which is a critical feature of the process implemented under CP1594.
it should be noted that the intention of CP1594 is to implement the foundational process for which Communication Methods can be more centrally managed. However to minimise the impact to participants it is not intended to act as a vehicle for the data cleanse of the values themselves. This activity will take place following any implementation of this REC Change This will allow a quicker and more efficient review of the current communication types whilst ensuring that there is no impact to parties where the BSC CP is implemented prior to the corresponding REC Change.
One exclusion to this will be the end-dating of CSD and PSTN as communication methods. This is due to these services becoming redundant by the end of 2025. However as the end date is long after the proposed implementation of the REC CP then there will be no immediate impacts to REC (or BSC) stakeholders, other than to note that PSTN and CSD Communication Methods should be replaced by December 2025.
enumerations and instead state the valid set is defined under the BSC within the Communications Method Approval document (which will be created as part of CP1594. This is akin to the current process for managing the Outstation Type Data Item (J0471) but also
remove the need to raise an EMDS change whenever an update to the valid set is required.
It will also allow end dates to be assigned against communication types which is a critical feature of the process implemented under CP1594.
it should be noted that the intention of CP1594 is to implement the foundational process for which Communication Methods can be more centrally managed. However to minimise the impact to participants it is not intended to act as a vehicle for the data cleanse of the values themselves. This activity will take place following any implementation of this REC Change This will allow a quicker and more efficient review of the current communication types whilst ensuring that there is no impact to parties where the BSC CP is implemented prior to the corresponding REC Change.
One exclusion to this will be the end-dating of CSD and PSTN as communication methods. This is due to these services becoming redundant by the end of 2025. However as the end date is long after the proposed implementation of the REC CP then there will be no immediate impacts to REC (or BSC) stakeholders, other than to note that PSTN and CSD Communication Methods should be replaced by December 2025.
CP1594 is the primary CP for which this REC Change has been raised to align with.
Impacts
Electricity, Microbusiness, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Industrial and Commercial (I&C)
Billing accuracy, Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
If redundant Communications replacements are not actioned in a timely manner effectively then consumers could lose access to remote data. Whilst this isn't a direct impact it would likely lead to estimated data until such time those communications could be replaced (meaning less accurate bills).
No details provided
Elexon do not believe that this CP should have any impact on the REC or any REC schedules.
No details provided
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No details provided
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Data Item Catalogue
This change proposed to remove the hard coded enumerations from the J0386 Data Item and add to the notes of the Data Item that the valid set exists and is managed under the BSC in the Communications Approvals Document (to be implemented under CP1594)).
No details provided
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No details provided
No Impact
Energy Suppliers, Data Collectors
Will have to use the new central approved list under the BSC in order to install compliant communications methods. However at go live there will be no immediate impact until such time the Communications Methods on the approvals document are amended via the process to be implemented under CP1594.
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC)
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No
No details provided
Priority & timing
No
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Elexon request that this CP is implemented 23 August 2024. We understand that there is a scheduled EMAR release for this time. The BSC CP is proposed for a June release date but recognise that this is likely to soon for the corresponding REC Changes to the EMAR to be progressed.
Elexon are proposing this August date as opposed to the November release so that the process implemented under CP1594 can be used as soon as possible to refine the current communication methods under this data item. This will allow Elexon and industry to have a better understanding of the volume of certain type of communication methods currently in situ and begin to work towards more education and centrally required data cleanses that will be essential to ensure that the risk of redundant communication methods is managed effectively.
Elexon are proposing this August date as opposed to the November release so that the process implemented under CP1594 can be used as soon as possible to refine the current communication methods under this data item. This will allow Elexon and industry to have a better understanding of the volume of certain type of communication methods currently in situ and begin to work towards more education and centrally required data cleanses that will be essential to ensure that the risk of redundant communication methods is managed effectively.
CP1594 is the corresponding BSC Change but that CP has been designed so that the REC Change does not need to be implemented at the same time as the BSC Change is proposed for a June Implementation.
However the process implemented under CP1594 can not be used fully until this REC Change is implemented and so we have requested implementation in August as opposed to November.
However the process implemented under CP1594 can not be used fully until this REC Change is implemented and so we have requested implementation in August as opposed to November.
No details provided
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Activity
Proposed solution summary changed to As a Supplier/DNO/MEM, I want to ensure that Market Messages I send or receive to contain up-to-date, accurate data, so that I am able to effectively engage with the wider industry.As a non-REC Party Service User…
Proposed solution summary changed to As a Supplier/DNO/MEM, I want to ensure that Market Messages I send or receive to contain up-to-date, accurate data, so that I am able to effectively engage with the wider industry.As a non-REC Party Service User I want to ensure that Market Messages I send or receive to contain up-to-date, accurate data, so that I am able to effectively engage with the wider industry..
Show moreImplementation Date has been updated to 23 Aug 2024.
Orphaned SME: Lead Technical Analyst, Orphaned SME: Lead Assurance Analyst have been allocated as SME.