It is incorrect to say that the network is restricted to 4 hour KWh readings.

Adding 6 or so more characters to a network packet to read the meter is no problem, so it’s possible that every network sync packet could contain the meter reading and the resolution of data going to PG&E could be very high.

And since there’s two way communication it would be possible for PG&E (or a outside hacker with a off the shelf $200 transceiver) to send a command to increase the reading resolution to manyl times a second if they wanted.

So it would be really easy to figure out what appliances are running at your house and if you are home, sleeping or what after observing for a while.

There is nothing restricting PG&E from changing the meter reading resolution at any time. They can do it on a per meter basis or as many meters as they like, all from remote.

They can also update the entire firmware of the meter and any settings / variables that are available to them in that version of the firmware.

This is what makes this a “unfair trade practice”. You have no idea what they are changing and when. They can screw with the calibration figures anytime they wish and/or make the display show something different than the actual readings.

States are now going to need a government body to check the firmware on a random basis, like they do with gas pumps (weight and measures dept).

Right now you have to take PG&E’s word for it. And after all this, and the videos showing how trustworthy they are, you tell me if that’s OK or not.

Thank you Mike Lee for that link. I like the line that says that it is pointless to use mobile radio services for stationary devices.
That reason alone is why the SmartMeters do not work with solar or any other generating systems. The radio network is restricted to only reporting total use every 4 hours to PG&E, and is so simple that it will never be able to transmit usage data in real time.
The radio network must be on and transmitting 24/7 just to keep the sync with each other, but each meter only transmits data 6 times per day to the utility.
For those who are considering using solar or any other source of electricity and feed back excess to the power grid for credit, a traditional analog meter will do, but if the want to get credit for peak time rates when power is most often back fed, they can have an E6 time of use meter installed. The TOU meters have been in use for about 20 years. They are digital, and look like a new SmartMeter, but they do not transmit data to the utility, and must be read monthly.
I strongly recommend that everyone view this smartmeter fallacies link, and then continue to fight real hard and heavy against PG&E leveraging more fees on the consumers who do not want or need a new SmartMeter.

We need to demand that utilities put up or shut up: unless PGE delivers
a rate reduction to consumers for meter-reading savings, it has no
basis to claim any meter-reading fee at all for smartmeter opt-outs.
There are also other zero or low cost alternatives PGE must be required
to offer, eg consumers reading their own meters or using postal workers.
Details at
smartmeter fallacies