A Little Background

Do you remember or did you read about the Y2K bug – that event that was supposed to cripple many of the world’s computers on the 31st of December, 1999? Well, on the 24th of November 2024, we will face a similar ‘rollover’ event called the TID (Token IDentifier) Rollover, but this time, it’s for STS-compliant prepaid utility meters. The current software for all prepaid meters used worldwide needs an upgrade and will expire on November 24. This means that, after that day, without an upgrade, tokens purchased by residents in your community may be rejected by their meters.

As we approach the 2024 TID Rollover for all STS prepaid utility (electricity, water, gas) meters, it is important that you and your community are well-prepared for this important event. Here is what you need to know;

What is the TID Rollover?

The TID Rollover is a process that happens every 24 years for prepaid energy meters. The Token Identifier is reset to zero during the rollover. This means that any tokens issued before the rollover won’t work afterward.

This Rollover is needed because the TID is a 24-bit number, which means it can only hold a limited number of unique tokens. After 24 years, the TID will have cycled back to zero, making it possible for two tokens to have the same TID. If the TID Rollover didn’t happen, tokens issued before the rollover would no longer be unique.

How to Ensure a Smooth Transition for Your Community:

1. Identify Affected Meters: Conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify meters in your community that will be affected by the TID Rollover. At Venco, our meters are fully TID Rollover-compliant. For non-Venco meters, we’re ready to assist in determining which meters need to be confirmed for compliance.

2. Contact Your Meter Vendor: Once you’ve identified the affected meters, contact the meter vendors to perform the necessary upgrades. After the upgrade or replacement, Venco will step in to perform a post-upgrade verification to ensure the meters are functioning correctly.

3. Be Prepared for Replacements: Unfortunately, some meters might not be upgradeable. In such cases, replacements will be necessary. We’ll guide you through this process to minimize inconvenience.

4. Ongoing Support: Venco is here to support you throughout this transition. We aim to make the rollover event as stress-free as possible. For any issues or further assistance, email us at operations@venco.africa

By taking these steps, you can ensure your community is ready for the TID Rollover, avoiding disruptions and maintaining a smooth, reliable energy supply.