Abstract: An automatic utility meter reading and monitoring system comprises at each customer premises at least one sensor for automatically reading the amount of usage of a utility service, processing means for accepting data for said at least one sensor, and a communications interface connected to said microcomputer, and at a central office a main computer for accepting data relating to the amount of usage of the utility service at each customer premises over a remote link connected to said communications interface, said main computer being arranged to poll said microcomputers periodically at said customer premises on a basis to obtain therefrom billing and local management information. The continuous polling of said customer premises not only allows for easy conversion to time-of-day metering, but also provides information relating to load distribution on an ongoing basis.