Statement: Quick, easy and reliable switching

  • Start: 03 February 2021
  • Status: Statement published
  • End: 09 November 2021

People should be able to switch telecoms provider easily to take advantage of the range of services available. Easier switching allows people to shop around with confidence to find the best price and service for their needs. Difficulties in the switching process can put people off moving providers. Effective switching is also important to support competitive investment in, and take-up of, faster and more reliable broadband.

In February 2021, we consulted on proposals for a new switching process for residential landline and broadband customers. We also proposed some limited changes to the information mobile providers must give residential customers when they want to switch.

In September 2021, we published our final decisions on these changes, including our requirement for a new ‘One Touch Switch’ process where landline and broadband customers will only need to contact their new provider to switch. We also consulted on proposed changes to the General Conditions to give effect to our decisions on broadband and landline, and mobile, switching.

We have published our final decisions on the changes to the General Conditions. These changes will come into force on 3 April 2023.


Main documents

Supporting documents

Documents prepared by Ofcom relating to implementation

Letter to industry: One Touch Switch implementation (PDF, 104.5 KB)

Letter to the OTA: One Touch Switch number porting – Request for OTA to lead industry implementation (PDF, 145.5 KB)

Letter to industry: One Touch Switch Implementation – a single process and implementation progress (PDF, 188.5 KB)

The Implementation Progress Steering Group was set up by Ofcom to get regular updates on implementation from a representative group of communications providers and The One Touch Switching Company. Although it has only been possible to invite a limited number of providers to attend the meetings in person we have circulated updates following these meetings to wider industry via the Office of Telecommunications Adjudicator.

Letter to industry: One Touch Switch Implementation – Principles and Cancel Other (PDF, 191.9 KB)

Letter to the OTA: One Touch Switch implementation (PDF, 147.5 KB)

Letter to industry: One Touch Switch Implementation - Matching response SLA (PDF, 136.3 KB)

Open letter to the One Touch Switch Implementation Progress Steering Group (IPSG), 5 April 2023 (PDF, 210.1 KB)

Documents prepared by the OTA on the X and Y switching process options

EECC Working Group (ECWG) Solution Development Journey (PDF, 269.2 KB)

ECWG Cost Estimates and Methodology (PDF, 207.2 KB)

Documents prepared by Ofcom relating to switching processes

Letter to industry: fixed switching and porting working group, August 2019 (PDF, 146.3 KB)

Letter to the OTA: switching and porting, July 2019 (PDF, 164.2 KB)

Documents relating to Y proposals

Option Y, Gaining Provider Led Switching – the Option Y proposal (PDF, 567.3 KB)

YHub switching process description (PDF, 225.9 KB)

Option Y, YHub and YGP switching process flows (PDF, 350.6 KB)

Letter to fixed switching and porting working group: consent and the new fixed switching process for residential customers, July 2020 (PDF, 175.7 KB)

Letter to fixed switching and porting working group, June 2020 (PDF, 137.2 KB)

Option Y, Responses to Ofcom’s questions (PDF, 612.5 KB)

Option Y, Gaining Provider Led Switching - the Option Y proposal (initial proposal) (PDF, 639.3 KB)

Documents relating to X proposals

Option X, Broadband and voice switching proposal, response to Ofcom (March 2021) (PDF, 940.3 KB)

Option X, Broadband and voice switching proposal, response to Ofcom’s initial questions (PDF, 310.9 KB)

Option X, Broadband and voice switching proposal, response to Ofcom (PDF, 891.0 KB)

Option X process map (PDF, 172.8 KB)

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Responses

Responder name Type
Age UK (PDF File, 44.0 KB) Organisation
ApTap (PDF File, 121.6 KB) Organisation
Bartlett, J (PDF File, 45.4 KB) Individual
BT (PDF File, 439.5 KB) Organisation
BT [response to further consultation] (PDF File, 230.3 KB) Organisation
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