Automatic meter reading systems

A detailed analysis of experimental meter reading systems, in terms of the generic componenets, has lead the author to conclude that systems which employ ordinary telephone lines as the meter reading data channel aremore economical than systems which depend upon power lines, pilot wires, or radio for communications. This conclusion, however, is based on the assumption that the American Telephone and Telegraph Co., which supplies about 80% of the telephone service in the United States, will soon file for a new, lower monthly charge tariff with the F.C.C. specifically for automatic meter reading