Watchdog proposes measures to make broadband line switching easier

Post by Richard Morris on 10th February 2012
 in General news, Retail

Ofcom, the UK's regulator of the telecoms sector, has revealed steps it thinks broadband and landline providers should take to make it easier for their customers to switch providers.

The proposals also aim to eliminate the practice known as 'slamming', where a customer is switched to a new provider without their consent.

Ofcom has estimated that 520,000 households fell victim to this tactic last year, while one in five lost their broadband connection for about a week while their service was being switched over to another provider.

Now, the regulator wants to see the process changed, with control of the switch put in the hands of the new provider, which would then be responsible for any hitches in the process.

Ofcom also said that it wanted all switching deals to be independently checked by a third party, as well as more accurate information to be provided to customers on the implications of switching.

In addition, Ofcom will continue to audit and authorise the operations of price comparison websites which offer a switching service, with those given the accreditation being allowed to display a unique logo.