In view of the extremely euphoric expectations on the performance of the so-called smart meter, the AK is very sceptical whether these can be fulfilled. This scepticism is fuelled by the expected costs associated with its introduction and operation; as it stands, figures of 1.8 billion Euros have been named for Austria. At national level, a wide range of institutions have already prepared cost-benefit-analyses, some of which seem to indicate very high energy saving potentials. Unfortunately, these analyses were prepared in anticipation of the cost-benefit analysis recommended in Recommendation 14 of the ERGEG and do not consider at all the comprehensive coverage of the entire added value chain - from producer to consumer - but only focus on individual sectors.