扩频是一种很好的技术，可用于手持和移动无线电抄表系统。由于其强大的信号，扩频提供了读取更恶劣的仪表环境（如地下仪表坑）的能力；从更远的距离读取仪表的能力，这允许公用事业公司尽可能避免进入危险区域，并重做路线以提高效率；在人口密集的设施中更有效地运行；以及更有效地升级到固定基础抄表网络的能力。最后一点有时在无线电抄表系统的效用评估中丢失。扩频在更高功率水平下工作的能力允许传输距离保守地是传统无线电调制的五倍或五倍以上。这种距离相当于降低扩频抄表系统的使用寿命成本。 如果手持式或移动式扩频系统能够升级到具有距离能力的固定基站，则需要较少的固定基站节点来覆盖系统。与传统系统相比，这可能是一个相当大的节省，而传统系统的运行功率要小得多。

Spread spectrum is a good technology for use with a handheld and mobile based radio meter reading system. Because of its robust signal, spread spectrum provides the ability to read out of harsher meter environments such as underground meter pits; the ability to read meters from greater distances which permits utilities to possibly eliminate accessing hazardous areas and to redo routes for better efficiency; to operate more efficiently in densely populated installations; and the ability to upgrade to a fixed base meter reading network more effectively. This last point is sometimes lost in utility assessments of a radio meter reading system. The ability of spread spectrum to operate on a higher power level permits transmission distances conservatively five times or more than conventional radio modulation. This type of distance equates into lower life costs for a spread spectrum meter reading system. If a handheld or mobile spread spectrum system is upgradable to fixed base, with the distance capabilities, it would take less fixed base nodes to cover the system. This could be a considerable savings over conventional systems that operate with considerably less power.