I am not sure if by BS you think that we are making the fees up but activating a t-mobile cellular account, paying monthly fees on it while you wait to install, paying my integrator/web guy to set up your database with your property and private login, paying my guys to program your meter and label them for your apartment, test, calibrate and finally paying shipping are definitely all real fees.

Each tower was leased to a different cellular company.  

I've also been experimenting with the Ring alarm system which does monitoring for only $10 a month (no additional cellular or internet/WiFi required) on vacant property.

4G LTE Cellular Solar Security Camera Wireless Outdoor, No WiFi Battery Cameras(Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile), 360° View, 2K Color Night Vision, PIR Motion Sensor, 2 Way Audio(64G SD&SIM Card Included)

Would anyone know of a submetering system and average cost that I can purchase and install that will transmit usage to a cellular device?  

My plan is to lease to a solar energy developer or cellular company.

U.S. cellular sold me the phone, so if they had a problem with it you'd think they wouldn't offer a phone with that as an option.

Here's a few things you can do to mitigate this from happening: Hire a house sitter (~100 per week)Ring alarm monitoring system (~20 per month, no internet required)Plant some flowers in the front (imply occupancy)Install dummy or real security cameras (some area even cellular based for live capture)Drill the exterior doors shut As far as theft/vandalism goes, make sure you are insured correctly with a builder's risk policy that covers it. 

Many construction sites do not have internet, so you need to specify cameras or alarm systems that operate on cellular.

He charges $450 for a hard wired install plus $250 for a cellular modem that we take out once the property becomes occupied and we use it in the next vacant property.