Paranoid nonsense! Do you know what they actually cost? I do! I design them! And there is NOTHING in the firmware about forced relocation! Geez, these things barely have enough RAM and flash memory to perform their main function!
Replacing a meter is one thing. Like I posted, nothing wrong with that to save labor costs in data collection.
I also know what they cost.
Installing fiber optics in parallel conduit, controllers, and rewiring distribution panels to accommodate remote monitoring of power consumption and controlling HVAC and motors loads is my point, and it has been actively been pursued in federal properties for the last 5 years.
Why would one spend $2k to save maybe $20/yr on a structure with a 70yr life expectancy?
One can avoid the notion of conspiracy by ignoring these stupid ‘smart’ installations (and I’m not just refering to the meter-only swap-out).
Finding a plausible explanation at least points to low level corruption known several tiers of authority above it.
Those promoting it have an agenda, such that the high construction and installation costs are inconsequential compared to the value they give them. Go figure.
PS. Study up on relational databases. These devices don’t need much memory to provide the functionality some with ulterior motives may seek.
Follow the money. Follow who is implementing all these programs, not just the innocuous ones. The paths converge.