Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed an announcement by the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, that mobile customers will soon be able to switch provider just by sending a text.
Under major reforms announced by Ofcom on Tuesday, 19 December mobile customers will be able to switch provider by simply sending a free text message. The change will take effect no later than 1 July 2019, giving mobile companies time to make changes to their systems.
The reform comes after findings that nearly two in five mobile switchers (38%) – 2.5 million people – said they experienced at least one major problem when switching, while seven in ten encountered at least some difficulty.
Too many people are put off by the hassle of switching mobile provider. Ofcom’s 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. The new rules will make it quicker and easier for people and businesses to leave their mobile company.
This is how Ofcom’s new ‘text-to-switch’ 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.
Andrew Stephenson MP said, “I welcome Ofcom’s changes, which will help Pendle residents frustrated with their current mobile supplier switch quickly. This will improve competition and should also lead to better customer service.”