Happy Easier UK Phone and Broadband ISP Switching Day – Maybe

As a little reminder, the process of switching between broadband and phone providers, specifically those who use the BT Openreach telecoms network (e.g. BT, EE, Sky Broadband and TalkTalk etc.), has today become a little easier thanks to the introduction of Ofcom’s new harmonised migration rules.

The new Gaining Provider Led Notification of Transfer Plus (GPL NoT+) service means that when you want to migrate away from an ISP it should just be a matter of contacting the new provider. We have already published a useful guide to explain exactly what’s changing: A Guide to Switching UK Broadband and Phone Provider After June 2015.

Sharon White, Ofcom’s CEO, said:

“The new process puts the responsibility for the switching process in the hands of the provider the customer is joining.

This will make a real difference for consumers, and will encourage more people to take advantage of very strong competition in the landline and broadband markets.”

However, as we explored earlier in the week (here), not everybody is happy with the new approach, which increases the switching period to 10 working days and could potentially open up the system to more cases of SLAMMING (i.e. finding your service has been swapped without your express consent).

Ofcom and the industry will naturally be keeping a very close eye on events over the next few months.