Meter Operator (MOP)

What it is

A Meter Operator (MOP) is a company appointed by your electricity supplier to install, commission, test, maintain and repair metering equipment. It also keeps the technical details of the meter and passes them to the Data Collector.

You usually do not choose the MOP. Your supplier appoints one as part of your contract, and it changes if you switch.

Where you will see it

• On your bill as a metering or meter rental charge.
• In contract paperwork and quotes, which may say the MOP is included or charged separately.
• On a visit appointment, when an engineer comes to fit or replace a meter.

Why it matters

Meter faults, replacements and upgrades go through the MOP, and the cost can land on your bill. Some quotes include metering costs in the unit price; others list them as separate charges, which changes how you compare them. Fitting a new meter, such as a half-hourly meter, also involves this role. See meter installation and replacement for what to expect.

Under market-wide half-hourly settlement, parts of the industry's agent structure are changing, so the names of some roles may look different on future paperwork. Your supplier remains your contact.

Example

A salon's meter stops registering. You report it to your supplier, who arranges for its MOP to visit, test the meter and fit a replacement. If the meter was faulty, ask how the bill will be corrected, as covered in our guide to faulty business meters.

Related terms

For gas, the equivalent is the Meter Asset Manager.