Wirepas, a Finnish connectivity technology company, has expanded its smart metering footprint in Himachal Pradesh, with its radio frequency (RF) mesh technology now integrated into approximately 700,000 smart meters across the state. The deployment comes as Himachal Pradesh accelerates its smart metering programme under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with the installed base increasing nearly fourfold in nine months.
According to Ministry of Power data as of December 31, 2025, a total of 28,00,945 consumer smart meters had been sanctioned for Himachal Pradesh under the RDSS, of which 7,02,046 had been installed. The installed base stood at 1,74,360 on March 4, 2025, according to information provided by the Ministry of Power in the Rajya Sabha. This indicates significant progress in the state’s smart metering rollout. The scheme period runs until March 2028, according to the Ministry’s reply in the Lok Sabha in July 2025.
Himachal Pradesh presents distinct challenges for smart meter connectivity because of its mountainous landscape, remote villages and densely populated towns. High peaks, deep valleys and difficult terrain can affect communication signals, while installing dedicated communication infrastructure in remote locations can be expensive and time-consuming. In urban areas, meters installed in basements, stairwells and closely packed buildings can also face connectivity issues.
Wirepas addresses these challenges through its mesh networking technology, in which each smart meter can transmit and receive data and help relay information across the network. Instead of relying on a single communication route, the system can redirect data through alternative connections when a link is disrupted. This approach helps extend network coverage as more meters are connected and reduces dependence on individual communication points.
The technology also operates without dedicated gateways or SIM cards, potentially reducing infrastructure requirements and recurring communication costs for utilities. Wirepas supports both RF-only smart meters and dual-communication meters that combine mesh connectivity with cellular communication. This allows utilities to use mesh networks in densely populated areas while combining them with cellular connectivity where required in remote locations.
According to the company, its existing deployments using the Wirepas platform achieve a service level of 99.9%. The company said its technology is designed to support reliable meter communication across varied geographical conditions, including locations with long distances between consumers and areas with high meter density.
Ashish Sahay, Sales Director and Country Manager, India, at Wirepas, said the Himachal Pradesh deployment demonstrates the ability of the company’s technology to operate across challenging Indian conditions. He highlighted the need to maintain timely communication from meters located in remote mountain villages as well as crowded buildings in hill towns.
Wirepas said its technology currently connects more than 12 million smart meters across India. The expansion in Himachal Pradesh adds to this footprint as electricity distribution utilities continue implementing smart metering projects.
With more than 28 lakh consumer meters sanctioned under the RDSS, Himachal Pradesh has significant work remaining before the scheme period ends in March 2028. The state’s progress will depend on continued installation, dependable communication infrastructure and the ability to maintain service performance across its varied terrain.
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