Method for distributing data in a communication system , having a group of metering units, in particular consumption meters , which are each arranged to measure the consumption of a delivered supply medium, and a data collector , wherein each metering unit comprises a communication module and a frequency reference device , and also at least one processor to operate the metering unit, wherein the metering units and the data collector are arranged in a communication network, wherein the receive bandwidth of the metering unit is in the narrowband range, and wherein the ratio between the receive bandwidth of the respective metering unit and the frequency tolerance of the frequency reference device of said metering unit is less than 1, wherein the data are transmitted by the data collector at a transmit frequency via the communication system within a session common to the group of metering units, a synchronization sequence common to the metering units is transmitted by the data collector within the common session, and the metering units actively look for the synchronization sequence , wherein the synchronization sequence is dimensioned in such a way that the frequency reference device of each metering unit in the group of metering units is synchronized with the transmitted synchronization sequence within a session, wherein the synchronization of the frequency reference device comprises the synchronization of a receive carrier frequency to the carrier frequency of the data collector, with the result that the data are transmitted by the data collector after the synchronization of the frequency reference devices of the metering units in the group. a group of metering units, in particular consumption meters , which are each arranged to measure the consumption of a delivered supply medium, and a data collector , wherein each metering unit comprises a communication module and a frequency reference device , and also at least one processor to operate the metering unit, wherein the metering units and the data collector are arranged in a communication network, wherein the receive bandwidth of the metering unit is in the narrowband range, and wherein the ratio between the receive bandwidth of the respective metering unit and the frequency tolerance of the frequency reference device of said metering unit is less than 1, wherein the data are transmitted by the data collector at a transmit frequency via the communication system within a session common to the group of metering units, a synchronization sequence common to the metering units is transmitted by the data collector within the common session, and the metering units actively look for the synchronization sequence , wherein the synchronization sequence is dimensioned in such a way that the frequency reference device of each metering unit in the group of metering units is synchronized with the transmitted synchronization sequence within a session, wherein the synchronization of the frequency reference device comprises the synchronization of a receive carrier frequency to the carrier frequency of the data collector, with the result that the data are transmitted by the data collector after the synchronization of the frequency reference devices of the metering units in the group. <EOS>