• “AutoSwitch” is a new service and will be available from July 1st 2019
• Mobile users will be able to leave without speaking to their current provider
• Providers banned from making notice-period charges after switch date

Around two in five mobile switchers (38%) – 2.5 million people – say they experienced at least one major problem when switching, while seven in ten encountered at least some difficulty.

One of the biggest hurdles in changing provider is having to speak to your current provider, and facing unwanted attempts to persuade you to stay. Ofcom’s changes, which come in to affect Monday 1st July 2019 and will give customers control over contact with their existing provider.

The new rules will make it quicker and easier for people and businesses to leave their mobile company. This is how Ofcom’s new ‘AutoSwitch’ process will work:

Under Ofcom’s new rules, mobile providers will also be banned from charging for notice periods running after the switch date. This will put an end to people paying for old and new services at the same time – saving UK mobile customers around £10m in total each year.

Bringing in such substantial reforms means mobile operators will need to make a number of changes to their systems, and require coordination between mobile companies. For example, industry will need to set up the new short codes for people to text, and the means to send instant automated responses to switching requests, as well as new billing arrangements to end notice-period double payments.

Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s Consumer Group Director, said: “Too many people are put off by the hassle of switching mobile provider. Our changes will make it quicker and easier for mobile phone users to get a better deal.

“Customers will control how much contact they have with their current mobile provider, preventing companies from delaying and frustrating the switching process.”

How it will work

From next Monday, 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.

Because this will be quick and easy, customers could request their code while looking for a new deal – for example, while on the phone to a new provider, or in store.

The provider’s reply must also include important information about any early termination charges, outstanding handset costs, or pay-as-you-go credit balances.

The unique switching code will be valid for 30 days. A customer will be able to pass the code on to their new provider at the point they place an order for their new service, without the need for any further conversation.

Providers will also have to publish and promote clear guidance to help customers follow the new process and make informed switching decisions.

In order to request a PAC/STAC via text, two short codes will be used. These will be standard across the industry and the codes are listed below. The PAC/STAC will remain valid for 30 days:

Text “PAC” to 65075 – For a porting request
Text “STAC” to 75075 – For a switching termination request

If you would like further information on our mobile services, please contact a JabbaTalk advisor on 01524 39212