Telephpone and Broadband Change Propositions Launched by Ofcom

The telecom regulatory authority Ofcom had revealed plans created to enable the British residents to change telephone line and broadband providers more easily, which will also see that users are safeguarded against their providers being changed even as they are unaware of it.

As per the proposals, the provider that the user intends to change to will have the responsibility of carrying out the complete procedure which would also include the process of avail the transfer from the old provider. At the same time there would also be a third party to confirm the change lest the users get slammed, meaning that their providers and changed without their permission.

Surveys conducted by Ofcom have shown that one out of five users had lost out on their broadband facility for a week when changing providers and it has also been revealed that 13,000 households are having trouble with their telephone lines during the switch. In addition about 25,000 residential houses found that their telephone lines or broadband had changed providers without their knowledge or approval.

According to the regulatory authority these proposals that other than being protected better, and the procedure being made much easier, they will also make certain that all providers can have healthy competition to offer the customers new products, better selection and their money’s worth. It will also look into any technical issues that could probably occur during the switch and offer precise details regarding the repercussions of switching providers such that customers can take well thought out decisions about switching providers.

Chief Executive of ofcom, Ed Richard stated that it was imperative that the switch took place without hassles so that consumers could change providers with certainty. There were a lot of people who believed that the present system was too complicated and not dependable and that was exactly why Ofcom have made it one of their main concerns to look into the issue.

He also said that Ofcom enhanced consumer information regarding details of broadband speeds and the rivalry in the market, but he said that it was vital that the Brits were able to change providers without a problem and reveal their selection. The recent proposals had been created to make switches simpler, as well as dependable and safe from slamming. He also stated that it was their belief that what the customers experience when switching should be pleasant and that they would ensure that they will go on availing of the benefits from provider competition.

Product Director of Broadbandchoices.com, Michael Phillips commented that the procedures concerning broadband and telephone line switching had been quite confusing all along.

He said that the authorities did not have any justification for having customers experience days without broadband connectivity for many days during the process of switching and that they should be have to put up with switches without their approval.

He stated that they would like to have consumers experience a hassle free process of switching, and ensure that broadband switching was made really easy. A cynic , he said would only interpret the process as a means employed by the plod provider to drag on the process making the user wait for days on end to avail of the MAC or the Migration Authorisation Codes and for not offering to assist them customers with any technical issues. That is why Ofcom’s propositions that the new provider should carry out the whole process pf switching had been welcomed with open arms.

Moreover Ofcom has also introduced an price accreditation venture that will find a logo offered to comparison websites that have had their facilities been looked into by a strict self-regulated checking to ensure that all necessary details for the consumer are accessible, updated, precise, open and extensive.

To date websites like Homephone Choices, SimplifyDigital, Broadband Choices, Cable.co.uk and Broadband.co.uk have received Ofcom’s accreditation.