Hi Inspector71,
I’m even unluckier than you as I have two metres in my apartment, one under the sink that reads the gas for the stovetop consumption and another under the laundry tub to read the hot water consumption. Probably all installed illegally when built 10 years ago on the cheap, along with mostly everything else here.
Our electronic metre reading panels are installed in the locked electricity room downstairs in the basement car park. A majority of my bills were issued as a “guesstimate” along with other residents, due to the fact that for Jemena to correctly read these metres remotely they need mobile phone reception. Our closest mobile tower is miles away and reception is basically non-existant, I need to stand in the middle of the street to use my mobile hence why I still have my land-line. Coupled with the fact there is a new multi story building going up right next door to me has probably caused even less signal.
I am unsure what the solution is or who pays for any upgrade but presently in my situation it’s due to poor mobile phone reception.