One Touch Switching
Everything you need to know about One Touch Switching
Introducing the One Touch Switching Hub
Ofcom are introducing regulatory changes in September 2024 as part of their One Touch Switching (OTS) Regulations. These regulations are applicable to you if you are providing fixed or IP voice and broadband services to residential customers, however Business providers are also impacted by these changes.
This hub is designed to keep you up to date with all the latest regulatory changes from Ofcom.
Take advantage of this opportunity!
Timeline
September 2021
Ofcom announced its intention to introduce One Touch Switching.
April 2023
TOTSCo hub available for integration testing.
September 2023
TOTSCo hub available for integration testing.
October 2023
A production environment will be added for industry trials.
7th May 2024
Access to TOTSCo hub will be available for users who have signed the TOTSCo user agreement. Users must also provide TOTSCo with accurate customer numbers by this date.
September 2024
One Touch Switching goes live.
Partners with Residential Customers
You must be onboarded with TOTSCo from a regulatory perspective, regardless of how many Residential Customers you are supporting.
Partners with Business Customers
Whilst there is currently no equivalent One Touch Switching in place for Business Switching, this is currently being scoped out with various representatives across the Industry.
The FCS (Federation of Communication Services) have setup a page on their website that hosts the Gaining Provider Led Business (GPLB) switching process to One Touch Switching along with some principles, past communications and FAQs.
Anyone wishing to join the GPLB-SG (Gaining Provider Led Business – Steering Group) should register their interest to assist with developing the Business process. Giacom is already representing our partner base as part of this Steering Group.
Compliance
Ofcom regulate the UK telecommunications industry. From time to time, they update and introduce new rules as part of their regulatory obligations. Ofcom have introduced new rules updating the way end-users switch fixed communications services.
Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement – C7 covers switching rules that communications providers must comply with and the new changes include the introduction of ‘One Touch Switch’ for residential customers (C7.18 to C7.27). The rest of the switching changes also impact business switching. For further information please review Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement which be found below.
In summary: these rules are already in place and regardless of the number of residential customers you have, you must be onboarded with TOTSCo from a regulatory standpoint.
Latest News
9th May 2024:
Introducing the One Touch Switching Hub
17th November 2022:
Regulatory Changes from Ofcom
“One Touch Switching is crucial not just for our partners but the wider industry. It significantly changes the narrative for the transition of numbers between providers and also removes legacy options such as Cancel Other as part of the General Conditions. This will impact partners that have both residential and business customers. As a priority, I would recommend that partners read through the information in our hub and that anyone with residential customers onboards with TOTSCo directly or with one of the MAP’s”
Martin White
All-IP Product Manager
Want to know more about One Touch Switching?
Our team of product experts are happy to talk to you about One Touch Switching and how we can support you to migrate your base. Register your details and we’ll be in touch!
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