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Uganda is planning a significant shift in its electricity prepaid meter system by adopting Token Identifier Numbers (TID) technology, replacing the current Standard Transfer Specification (STS).

The Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa, has unveiled plans for a significant shift in the electricity prepaid meter system, which is set to revolutionize the energy landscape.

The minister revealed that the country is preparing to use new technology Token Identifier Numbers (TID), a significant departure from the current Standard Transfer Specification (STS).

The announcement, made while speaking to journalists at the Media Center on Friday, is part of an ambitious initiative to improve the efficiency and accessibility of electricity services throughout Uganda.

TID technology is expected to simplify metering processes, providing consumers with a more seamless and convenient method of managing their electricity usage.

In a press conference, the Minister of Energy emphasized the critical role that TID implementation will play in transforming the energy sector.

“Our goal is to modernize and simplify the user experience while also ensuring a reliable and secure power supply for all Ugandans.” “The transition to Token Identifier Numbers represents a significant milestone in our journey toward these goals,” she said.

“This change is happening on a global scale and will affect all Consumers on the Prepayment Metering system,” Nankabirwa added. To avoid this problem, we have set a goal of having all Ugandan Electricity Consumers’ Yaka (prepaid) meters migrated onto the New Token Identification System (known as the TID Rollover) by October 2024, so that they can continue purchasing Units for their Electricity Supply seamlessly.”

TID implementation on yaka meters is set to begin in stages across Uganda’s various regions. This phased approach is intended to ensure a smooth transition while minimizing disruptions to the existing power supply.

As the country prepares for this seismic shift, the Ministry of Energy has assured citizens of comprehensive support and guidance throughout the transition period. To ensure that consumers are well-informed and equipped to embrace this technological advancement, information campaigns, workshops, and support services will be implemented.

“Ugandans should not be concerned because distribution utilities will assist consumers in making the transition.” In this regard, the ministry will soon launch a nationwide media awareness campaign to inform the public about this program. “Please cooperate when they contact you, but be wary of fraud stars who will try to take advantage of this program to steal from you,” she said.

The conversion of electricity prepaid meters from Standard Transfer Specification to Token Identifier Numbers demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to propel its energy sector into a new era of efficiency and accessibility. This action is expected to empower consumers, streamline processes, and contribute to the overall advancement of the country’s energy infrastructure.

Uganda is poised to set a new regional standard for modern, user-centric electricity metering, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable energy ecosystem for its citizens.

Why the change?

The Token Identifier, a critical 24-bit field in STS compliant tokens, identifies the date and time of token generation, determining its usage in payment meters. The TID, which represents elapsed minutes since the base date of January 1, 1993, uses a 24-bit field that eventually rolls over to zero.

The TID rollover will affect all STS prepayment meters on November 24, 2024. Meters will reject tokens generated after this date that use the 24-bit TID based on the 1993 reference, because the TID value encoded in the token will reset to zero.

All meters will require key change tokens with the roll-over bit set to counteract TID rollover. Furthermore, changing the base date from 01/01/1993 to 01/01/2014 is required to reset the TID stack memory to zero. This key change procedure will ensure that previously used tokens are rejected, preventing their acceptance due to the TID stack reset.

Managing the TID Rollover key change with minimal impact on utilities and equipment suppliers is critical, necessitating a streamlined process for a smooth transition.