Ofcom orders providers to retain old switching system

Ofcom has informed providers that the One Touch Switch system may not be ready for the already delayed launch date of 12th September 2024.

It is asking wholesalers using the existing NOT+ system to maintain its use and remove it for six weeks until the existing deadline has elapsed.

This follows information Ofcom has received from TOTSCo and communications providers that although there are increasing volumes of customers being switched successfully using OTS, these volumes have not yet reached a level to provide sufficient confidence that all customer switches will be able to follow the OTS process.

In its open letter, Ofcom said: “In light of the progress to date, we consider that it would be appropriate to retain the existing NoT+ functionality.

This would enable customers to be switched using the existing NoT+ process as a back-up option, and only in those circumstances where communications providers, having started the switching process via OTS, find that it is not possible to technically proceed.”