It's never been intended to save money
It was nothing more than a remote kill switch for the utilities, which they asked their shareholders, *cough* the Revolving Door of Government, for and were kindly gifted. Nothing like not even having to leave your office to shut off non-payers, *cough* the poor and elderly.
Never ascribe to incompetence what is patently obviously malice from those with fat bank balances to protect.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
