What do you mean "was"? Every electricity provider in my country has a web interface where you can send your reading in monthly.
They send someone to physically read the meter every 3-6 months so you can't cheat, but other than that they will bill you what you declared if you send it in.
Readings are send remotely and automatically to connection provider. They pass data to seller of electricity. This data can be viewed nearly live or at most in few days online. It is all automated now. No need for anyone to go and read the meter anymore. Or even estimate consumption.
There are some special case like building where I live. Where I pay to the building, with very reasonable rate as there is no extra standing charges...
What I wonder is, who can read this consumption data besides the "connection provider"? How easy is it to drive around with a laptop and see who hasn't been home the past few days?
So basically it is uploaded to cloud and some people will obviously have access to data. Like customer support.
I think technically it is possible to listen to air interface, but either it is some mobile or some power line communication so cracking that is complex enough.
Smart meter means you do not have to do either. Meter itself can send the readings nearly live over power network or mobile connection. Thus no human needs to read the meter anymore. Saves time and trouble on all sides.
They no longer send workers monthly. Quarterly at best. Add the complications with the access into each type of building to read the meters. Also pay the worker, pay for their heathcare, when the meters can send live updates over NB IoT.
Why can't users read the meters themselves and send to the electric company once a month?