Utility consumption data (94) is provided over power line carrier links (53) to local nodes (40) and routed through a network of local nodes over peer-to-peer line-of-sight RF links (56) to a utility service provider (58). Backhauler nodes (50) combine the utility consumption data from the local nodes within a coverage region for routing to the utility service provider. Consumer nodes include sensing elements (112) for measuring the utility consumption data, and switching elements (118) for connecting or disconnecting the utility from a consumer location. Messages are sent through the network requesting the utility consumption data and for activating the switching elements.
