NSW Government
Water

Telemetry coverage tool

The telemetry coverage tool helps you quickly check if telemetry will work at your site and how to apply for an exemption if you are in a blackspot.

LID example

Do you have telemetry network coverage?

Telemetry only works if there is enough network coverage at your meter site. To help you check this, the department has created an online Mobile Coverage Tool. You and your meter installer can use it to see whether your property is in a coverage area or a blackspot. 

If your site is in a telemetry blackspot, you may be eligible for a telemetry exemption. 

Applying for a telemetry exemption 

If your work must connect to telemetry but cannot because your site has no coverage, you can apply for a telemetry exemption. 

A telemetry exemption: 

  • applies only to works that cannot physically meet telemetry requirements
  • removes the need to install a Local Intelligence Device (LID)
  • still requires you to manually record and report your water use
  • covers one work per form (submit separate forms if you’re applying for more than one)
  • to qualify, you must notify the department using the telemetry network coverage exemption notification form and confirm that your site is in a blackspot
  • you can also download the full exemption instrument for more detail. 

Apply in 3 steps

  1. Step 1 — Generate a telemetry coverage report

    You’ll need: 

    • Work approval owner’s name
    • Work approval number
    • ESID (extraction site ID) - found on your work approval or by calling WaterNSW on 1300 662 077
    • Your meter location (latitude/longitude to six decimal places) - you can get this from Google Maps or a smartphone 

    Click: Generate a telemetry coverage report

    The report will download automatically - make sure to save it. The department does not store the information you enter.

    How to read  your report

    • Blue pixels = areas with coverage
    • White pixels = areas without coverage 

    Your site is automatically exempt if there is at least one white pixel between your meter and the nearest blue pixel. 

    Automatically exemptNot automatically
    Automatically exempt example
    Automatically exempt example.

     
    Not automatically exempt example
    Credit: Not automatically exempt example

     

    The telemetry coverage report is generated by querying the 3  nearest Telstra towers with 4G NB-IoT or LTE Cat M1 networks to your meter. The report shows:

    • Property details
    • General view of nearby towers (within ~30 km)
    • Detailed view zoomed in on your meter location
    • Elevation profile, showing the line of sight to towers (a raised antenna may help — speak with your DQP) 

    Note:
    This report does not show mobile phone coverage (it may be different). 
    The tool does not meet WCAG accessibility standards. For assistance, call 1300 081 047 or email water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au. 

  2. Step 2 – Complete the exemption notification form

    If the report shows that your work is in a blackspot, download and complete the telemetry network coverage exemption notification form.

  3. Step 3 – Submit your exemption request

    Email the completed notification form together with your telemetry coverage report to: regulatory.implementation@dpie.nsw.gov.au 

    Use the subject line: Telemetry exemption notification

    Note: If your meter site is in a blackspot but the report says you have coverage

    If your site is in a blackspot but the report shows coverage, ask your DQP to do an onsite telemetry test. If the test shows no coverage, submit the exemption form along with the test results.

    Use the subject line: Telemetry exemption request – coverage shown but no connectivity