Fixed network for an automatic utility meter reading system

A method of validating operation of a meter interface unit (MIU) installed by a technician as part of a utility meter reading system comprising at least one data collector and a communications network, said technician having a portable communications device operable to receive communications from said network, said method comprising:

• transmitting status data from said MIU over said communications network of said utility meter reading system;
• receiving said status data at a collector of said utility meter reading system;
• broadcasting a system maintenance message indicating receipt of said status data by said collector over said network, said message comprising one of the signal-to-noise ratio or received signal strength indicator of the signal from the MIU containing the received data;
• and
• receiving said maintenance message by said portable communications device of said technician;
• thereby confirming that data transmitted by said MIU was received by a collector of said utility meter reading system.

A method of validating operation of a meter interface unit (MIU) installed by a technician as part of a utility meter reading system comprising a communications network and at least one bidirectional communications device operable to transmit and receive data over said network, said technician having a portable communications device operable to receive communications from said network, said method comprising:

• transmitting data from said MIU over said communications network of said utility meter reading system in response to an initialization of said meter;
• receiving said data at a bidirectional communications device of said utility meter reading system and at said portable communications device of said technician;
• broadcasting the received data and additional data by said bidirectional communications device over said network, said additional data comprising one of the signal-to-noise ratio or received signal strength indicator of the signal from the MIU containing the received data;
• and
• receiving said broadcast data by said portable communications device of said technician;
• thereby confirming that data was transmitted by said MIU and was received by a bidirectional communications device of said utility meter reading system.