What will deregulation of metering mean to utilities customers

The author first reviews the status of metering businesses within the UK utility market. From a customer´s perspective the products and services offered by utilities are increasingly being perceived as commodities in just the same way that insurance and food are commodities. In this regard customers will come to choose their utility suppliers in much the same way as they choose suppliers of other essential products and services. In this scenario issues of branding, price, product offering and perceived service will likely be key determinants of customer choice. For the incumbent utilities within the electricity, gas, telecommunications and water businesses this view of life represents a very significant change over what is increasingly being referred to as the old world. Some people would argue that it is in this area of company culture that new entrants to the market have the biggest advantage. In the domestic market the necessary planning and infrastructure that have taken 8-10 years to complete are only now in place to enable customers to avail themselves of a competitive market. The author discusses the future structures of utilities, the relationship between supply and metering businesses, and the utility customer´s view of deregulation