A concentrated subscriber wireless remote telemetry system which uses low-cost remote communication devices operating on existing wireless communication systems in order to provide real-time reading and control of remote devices. The metering system comprises at least one powerline remote metering device which collects and forwards telemetry data to an associated wireless remote telemetry device. The wireless remote telemetry device relays the telemetry data to a central controller over existing wireless communication systems, such as cellular base stations, using existing communication standards. The wireless remote metering device transmits various messages over a shared random access channel to the central controller. The central controller transmits messages to the wireless remote metering unit over a paging channel. The wireless remote metering unit may operate in a half-duplex mode only. Furthermore, the wireless remote metering unit may provide a gateway to advanced consumer services at the remote location.