If Smart Meters are so smart, why can't PG&E just turn them off?

If Smart Meters are so smart, why can't PG&E just turn them off for those customers who don't want them?

I've been following PG&E's near-criminal heavy-handed installation of their smart meters. In the Monterey area, hundreds of their customers have objected to having these smart meters installed. In other areas of California, dozens if not hundreds of customers have complained that their electricity bills went up once these smart meters were installed, even though they did not have any change in their electricity use habits. Both PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission dismissed the claims of these customers. PG&E always treats customers like we are idiots.

Now, in just the last couple of days, PG&E has admitted that 1600 of their Smart Meters were indeed defective and have been transmitting incorrect information, resulting in overcharges to those customers. In today's San Jose Mercury News, there's a story about a couple who has been refunded $1400 for the overbilling by their Smart Meter. The husband has a technical background and was able to prove that the Smart Meter had overbilled them.

In the Monterey area, hundreds of their customers have objected to having these smart meters installed. PG&E has only recently backed off a bit from force-feeding these customers. Their latest solution, however, is pretty ludicrous. If you don't want a Smart Meter, then you can opt out, but only at a very high price -- $135 up front and $20 per month after that.

If Smart Meters are so smart, why can't PG&E just turn them off?

Here's a thought. If PG&E is paying so much to install these things, and they have the ability to wirelessly transmit data -- why doesn't PG&E do something good for a change, something that gives back to their communities? Why doesn't PG&E help bring free wireless internet to their communities that also helps them collect the data that these Smart Meters purportedly collect?