\u00d7<\/p>\n
Switching between broadband providers used to be a complex and potentially frustrating process.<\/p>\n
As well as having to find a new ISP, you had to notify your existing provider of your intention to depart, while trying to coordinate cancellation and activation dates.<\/p>\n
This posed the risk of either paying two sets of broadband fees simultaneously or temporarily not having a provider at all.<\/p>\n
Back in 2021, we reported on a new scheme intended to simplify the process of switching broadband providers<\/a>. <\/p>\n This system was expected to go live in early 2023, but it was eventually delayed by almost 18 months<\/a>. <\/p>\n Surprisingly, industry regulator Ofcom took a light-touch approach to the implementation of this process, leaving ISPs to work out how to navigate customers across incompatible systems and software.<\/p>\n The result was a non-profit company founded and owned by broadband firms, known as The One Touch Switching Company.<\/p>\n TOTSCo recently celebrated a notable landmark, yet many people remain unaware of its existence \u2013 or what its central promise means for consumers.<\/p>\n Flick of the switch<\/p>\n TOTSCo is responsible for one-touch switching \u2013 a process where changing ISP should involve little more than a click of your computer mouse.<\/p>\n It functions as a communications interface between ISPs whenever a customer is migrating from one brand or service provider to another. <\/p>\n It\u2019s known in the trade as a GPL process (gaining provider led), since the new ISP establishes a new customer account and informs the incumbent provider of their new role.<\/p>\n The incumbent in turn accepts the customer\u2019s departure and supports the transfer of connectivity and account information by a nominated date.<\/p>\n