Consumers face fresh smart meter woe after it was confirmed most existing devices will need to be upgraded, at a cost of billions of pounds.

More than 13 million of the controversial gadgets will need to be changed, after the Government and mobile phone providers announced plans to phase out the networks used by existing devices by 2033. 

This will render many current meters obsolete, requiring upgrades by engineers.

Smart meters have already cost the British public £11bn, according to energy analyst Stark. The cost of replacing newly defunct devices will add £2bn to that bill. 

Households have already spent an average of £375 on the roll-out and will be forced to pay an extra £41, via higher bills. The cost of upgrading each meter will be £150, but be spread across all homes, not just those with obsolete devices.

The meters transmit data to a national network via “communications hubs”. In Wales and central and southern England, they use 2G and 3G mobile networks. The Government has confirmed these networks will be phased out. 

This means existing hubs will need to be replaced in about 60pc of homes. Smart meters in the North of England and Scotland use radio communications and will not be affected.

Smart meters are supposed to have a 15-year lifespan, but many devices will now stop working long before. 

Millions of existing meters have already gone “dumb” and ceased working because users have switched energy providers.

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy said: “We do not recognise these figures. Smart meters are a national infrastructure upgrade that will make our energy system cheaper, cleaner and more efficient.”