Ref: 23/02
Date: 29 April 2002

One in ten households in the UK have switched their fixed line telephone supplier while still keeping their telephone number, new research published today by Oftel reveals.

Nearly 2.5 million households have used number portability since it was introduced by Oftel in 1996, to enable consumers to switch suppliers without the inconvenience of having to change their telephone number.

The findings are contained in Oftel’s quarterly research into residential consumers use of fixed, mobile and Internet services.

Separate research from Oftel published today shows that over three quarters of consumers were given accurate information about how to transfer their phone number to a new fixed line operator while remaining at the same address.

The research reveals that:

• 78 per cent of consumers were given accurate information about how to port their phone number regardless of whether they contacted their preferred or existing supplier;
• over half of those surveyed thought the process seemed very easy;
• two in every five customers were informed about any charges without prompting; and
• just two per cent were told they could not port their number.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Number portability makes it easier for people to take advantage of the competitive deals available and change their fixed line supplier while keeping their telephone number.

"One in ten households have changed their fixed line telephone suppler while keeping their phone number in order to get a better deal.

"It is important that consumers get accurate information about what is involved in changing suppliers and keeping their telephone number.

"Oftel’s report shows that three quarters of consumers surveyed were given accurate and helpful information, and over half felt the process was very easy to do."

Note to Editors

Oftel mystery shopping number portability research report is published on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research/2002/port0402.pdf Oftel's quarterly research on residential consumers use of fixed, mobile and internet use are also on the web at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/research. Hard copies are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from Oftel's Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.