Advanced Meters record the amount of the product (electricity, water, etc.) consumed over time. They differ from traditional utility meters in that they are electronic and can talk to a central computer system.
Advanced Meters talk to their central systems using radio frequency (RF) transmissions, based on a cell phone, pager, satellite, radio, power line (PLC), Wi-Fi, or Internet (TCP/IP) communication method. Internet and cell phone applications have become the preferred options because of their flexibility and ease of deployment.
For more detailed explanations and information regarding RF, visit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) RF Safety FAQ page.