Ofcom is changing the way that people switch mobile providers in the UK, the regulator is bringing in new rules to make it easier for people to switch.
At the moment it can take a while to switch mobile providers in the UK, usually a few days by the time you current carrier has sent you a code and then by the time the new carrier has set things up. The way it works switching now is that you have to speak to your carrier to switch, the carrier then tries to talk you out of switching.
Ofcom are looking to make it easier with these new rules, in future you will be able to send a text to the carrier asking them to switch you to the new mobile carrier. You can see what Ofcom has to say about it below.
“In future, mobile customers will simply request a unique switching code, either by text or online, to pass on to their new provider – who must then arrange for the switch to complete within one working day.
People will text one of two memorable short codes, depending on whether or not they wish to keep their existing mobile telephone number. All mobile providers will have to use the same short codes.
A customer’s existing provider must immediately respond by text – with either a ‘porting authorisation code’ (PAC) for those wishing to keep their phone number, or a cancellation code for those who want a new number. For businesses, they will get this code within two working days.”
This will make things a lot quicker than the current system and will also give the customer more control over switching to a new carrier. Ofcom are giving the mobile carriers until the 1st of July 2019 to comply with the new rules.
Source Ofcom
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