diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 45be8a5..1fbe71f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -5,5 +5,6 @@ __pycache__/
 *.log
 
 # local files
+env
 .env
 .vscode
diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 95d0f87..c1e6e96 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 import os
 import time
+import re
 import sys
 import threading
 import _thread
 from dsmr_parser import telegram_specifications
-from dsmr_parser.clients import SerialReader, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V2_2, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V4, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V5
+from dsmr_parser.clients import SerialReader, SocketReader, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V2_2, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V4, SERIAL_SETTINGS_V5
 
 from app_settings import Settings
 from device_dsmr import Device_DSMR
@@ -41,10 +42,18 @@ def main():
         spec = telegram_specifications.V5
 
     device = Device_DSMR("dsmr", name="Digitale Slimme Meter")
-    serial_reader = SerialReader(cfg.dsmr_port, serial_setup, spec)
+    if "remote:" not in cfg.dsmr_port:
+        logger.info(f"using serial port {cfg.dsmr_port}")
+        reader = SerialReader(cfg.dsmr_port, serial_setup, spec)
+    else:
+        result = re.search(r"remote://([^:]+):(.+)", cfg.dsmr_port)
+        host = result.group(1)
+        port = int(result.group(2))
+        logger.info(f"reading from remote host {host} on port {port}")
+        reader = SocketReader(host, port, spec)
 
     def handle_next_telegram():
-        telegram = next(serial_reader.read_as_object())
+        telegram = next(reader.read_as_object())
         device.update(telegram)
         logger.info(f"New telegram at {telegram.P1_MESSAGE_TIMESTAMP.value}")