Measuring the accuracy of an endpoint clock from a remote device

A method performed by a utility data collector in a network, the method comprising:

• receiving a read list identifying utility meters from which utility data is to be received and forwarded to a utility service provider;
• transmitting, to the utility meters identified in the read list, a command to modify a network configuration field to a first value, the network configuration field to be included in utility data packets transmitted by the utility meters;
• receiving utility data from a first utility meter identified by the read list, the utility data including utility data packet, the utility data packet having a time stamp, a network configuration field, and a utility consumption field;
• determining an inaccuracy of a clock of the utility meter based on the time stamp;
• and
• forwarding the utility data packet to the utility service provider only if the network configuration field of the utility data packet includes the first value.