GPL urges over 40,000 prepaid customers to upgrade meters

Over 40,000 Guyana Power and Light (GPL) customers, who use prepaid meters are being urged to upgrade those devices before October 31, 2024, following the Standard Transfer Specification upgrade worldwide from its current ‘Version Four’ to ‘Version Six’.
This information was revealed by a GPL’s Customer Service Representative, Shawndel Smith, who stated that unless customers upgrade their meters, they would not be able to use the system to pay for and receive electricity.
According to the representative, only a minor fraction of the population has upgraded thus far.
“Persons would have been hearing on the radio that we have this prepaid upgrade going on. It’s important. Today, being less than 17 weeks away from the deadline, only about 7,000 plus customers have upgraded so we’re appealing to those customers that haven’t done the upgrade yet. We have the numbers that are available to get your prepaid upgrade.”
She emphasised the significance of the upgrade, stating that starting October 31, customers who have not upgraded will lose access to their connection.
“It’s important because come October 31st, then you won’t be able to purchase credit, which means then the credit that you have in your meter bed that goes out. If you don’t do the upgrade, then you won’t be able to purchase,” she stated.
Using cell phones as an example of continual upgrades, she drew a parallel to the GPL system.
“Every now and then, Samsung or Apple, will send you messages to upgrade likewise, with the prepaid, we need to upgrade. We’re basically moving from version 4 to version 6. so, if you don’t do the upgrade, then come the 3rd or 4th or November 4th, you won’t be able to have access to purchasing credit for your meter.”
She added “Persons who come into the office to pay a bill, they can come over to the front desk or go over to the front desk to the customer service order and the staff will then do the upgrade for them. Once their meter is within the sequence that GPL is upgrading, they can have that done.”
These upgrade urgencies are being posted on their Facebook and social media platforms all day. Persons can call GPL or WhatsApp on telephone number 603-8645 or 690-3128.
“In no way do you need to be worried about your credit running out, you know, but if you don’t do the upgrade when your credit runs out, then you’re out of power until you have that upgrade done,” the customer service representative said. (G2)