To provide a wireless remote telemetry system in which flexible reading and controlling of remote devices are achieved by using inexpensive, low-power ad-hoc networks.
In an embodiment applicable to a utility service, consumption of electrical power of a customer is measured by a utility metering system having ad-hoc network communication capability. The remote metering unit transmits information to intermediate communication units or hops over an ad-hoc network. The intermediate communication units or hops includes a mobile unit, a mobile base unit, a subscriber home computer, and a home base unit. The intermediate communication units transfer the received information to a central controller through multi-hop ad-hoc networks or cellular networks, according to intelligent planned by the wireless infrastructure or the central unit.