CWP Offers Free Common Switching Platform Until OTS Launch
The Common Wholesale Platform (CWP), which is a non-profit member-owned organisation that helps alternative broadband networks to provide wholesale services to the UK ISP market, has announced that they’re offering retail ISPs free access to their Common Switching Platform (CSP) until the One Touch Switching (OTS) regulation launch on 12th September 2024.
In case anybody has forgotten. Ofcom’s much delayed One Touch Switch (OTS) system aims to make it quicker and easier for consumers to switch broadband ISPs, regardless of what physical network the provider is using under the hood. OTS is currently set to go live from on 12th September 2024 (here), which is over a year past its originally targeted launch date of April 2023.
The CWP has responded to this by developing a Common Switching Platform (CSP) for retailers to comply with consumer OTS and business Gaining Provider led-Business (GPL-B) Ofcom regulated processes: CWP serves as a Full Management Managed Access Provider (MAP) to the OTS hub, which allows providers to comply with Ofcom OTS and GPL-B obligations and simplify the integration process.
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As part of this the CWP has today announced that they’re providing their CSP service free of charge until the OTS regulation launches on 12th September 2024. This initiative allows UK broadband and telephony retailers to test their connectivity, perform integration tests, participate in industry trials and production integration tests towards a seamless OTS compliance.
CWP Statement
This complimentary service period ensures retailers can prepare for the OTS regulation efficiently, demonstrating compliance and enhancing customer growth through improved switching processes. Additionally, CWP offers various wholesale connectivity services, enabling retailers to expand their horizons and grow their network utilisation.
Retailers of consumer broadband services are encouraged to visit cwpuk.org/join and sign up using the discount code ZERO. Terms and conditions apply.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I foresee a pretty turbulent initial period after launch for OTS. For switches between providers on different infrastructures (e.g. VM to Openreach provider, Openreach provider to alt-net) I can’t help but think it’s going to get messy… particularly where a new installation is required (which at present will surely be the case for most potential OTS users).
Very easy to imagine people ending up stuck without a connection for an interim period. I think early users will end up being beta testers / crash test dummies!
While it does cost a bit more money since you have to keep paying for your old connection, I think it is better to keep your old network going until the new one is in place. Like I did when I changed from Plusnet to Zzoomm.
Maybe zzoomm should think about wholesale for their network, because it is here at least a good network, now they have sorted out the bugs and teething problems. It would bring them extra money.
I agree with keeping your old connection open while the newer one is installed. I did that when leaving VM and had a Community Fibre installation. Ran side by side until VM contract expired.
Zentive have been offering this deal from the start for SureSwitch. And they have easy integration options so you don’t need to upload and maintain customer info.