SOME Jamaica Public Service (JPS) customers are bracing for big bills while others are awaiting rebates once the utility provider upgrades 6,100 customers’ meters it has not been able to read remotely for at least three months. JPS says it will implement a $160-million fix by the end of January 2025.

“JPS has been advised by our telecommunication provider that their 2G platform has been irreparably damaged as a result of Hurricane Beryl in the parishes most affected by the hurricane,” JPS Director of Corporate Communications Winsome Callum said Monday in response to questions from the Jamaica Observer.

“Less than one per cent, or just over 6,100 JPS customers, have been immediately affected and have been receiving estimated bills over the past few months. While the 2G system is still available in some areas, our telecommunication provider has also advised that the entire 2G platform will be decommissioned islandwide,” she added.

Even before the damage from Hurricane Beryl, Flow and Digicel had been advising the public, for at least a year, that they would stop providing service on the 2G network. Callum did not respond when asked which company she was referring to in her response.

She said JPS became aware of the issue with its meter reading in September and the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) was notified. No response was provided to the question of whether an advisory was sent out to JPS customers. Some have noticed that they have been receiving estimated bills, others are oblivious. Under OUR guidelines, it is a breach of standards for JPS to give estimated bills for more than three consecutive months. If that is done customers may seek compensation.

“JPS has been dealing with the affected customers on a case-by-case basis and has been doing manual readings of some affected meters, where possible,” explained Callum.

“Customers who got estimated bills are being assured that when their actual meter reading is received, their accounts will be reconciled for any overestimation or underestimation. The company will continue to facilitate our customers who are experiencing any difficulty due to this situation. Customers are encouraged to keep track of their energy usage with the JPS mobile app,” she added.

That may be a challenge as some customers’ 2G-compatible meters are “unreachable” via the app.

One woman, who lives at Estuary housing development in Montego Bay, is among the utility provider’s clients worried that the next bill based on an actual reading will be a challenge. She said since October she has been receiving estimated bills of about $3,000. She thinks they should be about $5,000, based on activity at home. Before the estimates her typical monthly bill was between $6,000 and $7,000 a month. She has been trying to reduce consumption, but with her grandchildren at home for Christmas break she knows her usage will increase in December.

“I don’t mind paying the actual bill, but my mind tell me JPS is going to fling it up high when them ready,” the woman, who asked not to be identified by name, told the Observer Monday.

While she is bracing for a big bill come next month, she said she has not set aside any money to cover the cost.

“When it [the actual bill] come we will figure it out. I try my best to keep it down as much as possible. I am watching it till January,” she said resignedly.

On the other hand, some JPS customers may be in for rebates if they reduced their usage over the period when the company was unable to read their meters. One customer who had a solar system installed received an almost $12,000 credit when JPS did an actual reading. This after sending her three estimated bills in a row and reminding her of its policy that accounts not paid in full each month are liable for disconnection.

Another JPS customer said she has been trying unsuccessfully to have the light and power company do an actual reading. She opted not to be identified by name. She said she has been actively reducing her consumption and expects to see a credit to her account. She told the Observer she is determined to go to court — if that’s what it takes.