subject: How hard is it to switch your broadband provider? [print this page] Ofcom have announced they will carry out investigations that will make it easier for you to switch your broadband provider but how hard is it now?
By the middle of next year they will publish proposals that will look at different ways to switch to another broadband provider.
The current way to do this involves waiting for the customer to change, and then the broadband provider switches the migration code, but with the new way, the customer will be able to take the lead when choosing new broadband deals.
It has become increasingly difficult to switch broadband providers which is causing much confusion. Providers are still not using the MAC code system and further complications occur when you talk about moving line rental too. There just has not been the interest from broadband providers to change the system.
Once the new proposals are published any ISP's willing to assist in making the change quicker, will be dealt with first. At the moment there is too much confusion in the market place over the switching processes which further confuses consumer questions such as is sky HD worth it.
Some of this has been created by the original regulators, and some by the current industry.
There is still cause for concern when it comes to consumer informed consent, once Ofcom has made switching easier, and there will need to be some kind of consumer protection.
The process will need to simplified so that consumers can take advantage of the competition, which would include better services and cheaper prices.
Another cause for concern is that Broadband packages are sold as bundles which include mobile phone, landline, broadband and television packages, this adds to the confusion.
Consumers may also be manipulated by greedy salespeople looking for a quick result into poor switching but, in general, movers are just looking for the cheapest broadband available to them.
Admittedly though, the change will be a welcome one, which will give the consumers greater choice when it comes to switching.
It has been suggested that broadband providers adopt a service similar to the one people currently get when dealing with their bank, such as direct debits and standing orders.
Which magazine highlighted the problem recently in a report which included a rise from 8% to 13 % of people dissatisfied with their broadband provider's switching process.
But the survey also mentioned that 78 % of people admitted that they found switching quite easy which would contradict recent reports. But the change is an important one as the broadband world becomes even more complicated and providers bundle more packages together with other services.
