Editing Automatic meter reading (section)

===Benefits of advanced metering===
Advanced metering systems can provide benefits for utilities, retail providers and customers. Benefits will be recognized by the utilities with increased efficiencies, outage detection, tamper notification and reduced labor cost as a result of automating reads, connections and disconnects. Retail providers will be able to offer new innovative products in addition to customizing packages for their customers.  In addition, with the meter data being readily available, more flexible billing cycles would be available to their customers instead of following the standard utility read cycles.  With timely usage information available to the customer, benefits will be seen through opportunities to manage their energy consumption and change from one REP to another with actual meter data. Because of these benefits, many utilities are moving towards implementing some types of AMR solutions.

In many cases, smart metering is required by law (e.g. Pennsylvania's Act 129 (2008)).

The benefits of smart metering for the utility.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}

* Accurate meter reading, no more estimates
* Improved billing
* Accurate profile classes and measurement classes, true costs applied
* Improved security and tamper detection for equipment
* Energy management through profile data graphs
* Less financial burden correcting mistakes
* Less accrued expenditure
* Transparency of "cost to read" metering
* Improved procurement power though more accurate data &mdash; "de-risking" price
* In cases of shortages, utility will be able to manage/allocate supply.

The benefits of smart metering for the customer.
* Improved billing and tracking of usage.