24/05/2017

Users will be able to switch mobile phone providers quickly and simply using a proposed new text-based ‘auto process’ that will make it unnecessary for them to speak to their current provider – which, according to Ofcom research, is a major cause of problems in the current process.

Under ‘Consumer switching: Proposals to reform switching of mobile communications services’, users would

1)  send a free text to their current provider, who would

2)  text back a unique code, that users would

3)  pass on to their new providers, who would

4)  then arrange the switch within one working day

Users would be able to request their unique switching code – known as the ‘porting authorisation code’ or PAC – via their online account, should they prefer to. Different PACs would be issued to indicate whether or not users wanted to take their mobile number with them.

Ofcom also proposes to ban charges for notice periods running after the switch date, saving the £10m or so that it currently costs users to pay for their old and new services at the same time.

Ofcom plans to announce whether it will go ahead with the auto process this Autumn.