One Touch Switching: Simplifying moving between providers
One Touch Switching is essentially a messaging system, established by Ofcom but built by industry. It aims to streamline the process of changing broadband or home phone providers. With this system, customers only need to contact their new provider, who will manage the entire switch, including coordination with the old provider.
Key Benefits
- Easy Transition: Only the new provider needs to be contacted.
- Efficient and Fast: Switches between different technologies are handled smoothly.
- Empowered Choices: Customers can quickly compare and switch to better deals.
The Switching Process
- Initiate Contact: Reach out to your new provider to start the switch.
- Information Exchange: Your new provider gathers details from your current provider.
- Approval: Review and agree to the new terms.
- Completion: The switch is completed efficiently, often within a day.
Implementation Overview
Currently One Touch Switch is mandatory for Residential Consumers (non-business). Business Switching will become One Touch Switch mandatory in the coming years (circa 2026 but OTS was heavily delayed so expect the date to move!).
All Communication Providers (that includes Reseller/Retailers) must register either with Totsco directly or with a MAP to obtain access into the OTS systems.
This is where it gets convoluted for multi-brand resellers. You would need a RCPID (retail cupid) for each brand you resell (VoiceHost, Gamma, Giacom).
In its most basic explanation, the gaining retailer submits the order into OTS, this is then linked to another RCUPID (which could be a brand of a reseller) which is then linked to a network which could be one of multiple wholesale brands.
The transactions move between those in the chain electronically and aim to provide a better, faster service to end-users.
Additional Information:
TOTSCO website: TOTSCo
