The invention discloses an automatic meter reading system and an automatic meter reading method based on RF (radio frequency) and GPRS (general packet radio service)/3G (the 3rd generation telecommunication). The automatic meter reading system comprises a collector and a concentrator which are connected with a plurality of electric energy meters through communication buses respectively, wherein the collector and the concentrator are communicated through an RF module; the concentrator and a master station are communicated through a GPRS or 3G wireless communication module; the RF module comprises an RF chip and a single chip microcomputer connected with the RF chip. The automatic meter reading system has the benefits that the degree of the electric meters is transmitted by adopting an RF technology, and the meters can be automatically read correctly, quickly and timely outdoors and indoors. Compared with the wired meter reading mode, the automatic meter reading system has the characteristics of being very flexible and convenient in networking, simple and convenient to maintain, and the like; moreover, the problems of inconvenience in wiring, large construction amount and the like of a wired meter reading system are avoided.