Eskom is to embark on a national initiative to upgrade prepaid meter software this week by changing the meter coding. The current meter software will expire in 2024. The initial phase of the project will be rolled out in Gauteng from  Wednesday 1 September 2021. This initiative aims to address all meter challenges encountered by customers and to ensure that Eskom has accurate customer meter data. 

The upgrading of the meter software will be applied to all prepaid Eskom and municipal customers. When the current prepaid meter software expires in 2024, any meter which has not been recoded will be unable to upload prepaid tokens, resulting in customers without electricity supply.

The first phase of the project will be rolled out in Riverside View, Fourways in Gauteng. This recoding service will be implemented at no cost to customers, who will be furnished with details about the project through various communication and community platforms. During the project roll out, Eskom will provide information on meter coding, and assist customers who may experience challenges with their meters.
 
The implementation of the project will be conducted on a door-to-door basis by Eskom technicians and contractors. The power utility assures its customers that it will strictly follow the Covid-19 regulations and apply the required preventative measures as they visit their homes. Eskom requests customers to be vigilant and only allow technicians and contractors who carry authentic identification into their homes. Furthermore, customers will not be required to make any payment before or after the meter coding change.
 
Eskom says it remains committed to continuously updating its electricity infrastructure to improve its service offering to all its customers.