Quicker mobile switching

Published:
11 December 2007
Topic:
News,Mobile Phones,Money

A telecoms watchdog says mobile users must be able to re-use their existing numbers within two hours.

Ofcom has set a September 2009 deadline for networks to achieve the faster maximum transfer time from one network to another.

The regulator had already set a deadline of 1 April 2008 for mobile phone firms to reduce their number transfer or 'porting' times to a maximum two days.

At present, customers who switch may have to wait up to five days before their number is transferred.

Many customers are angry that their existing supplier can take days to provide their telephone number to the new network before they can change. The delay is used by networks to try to persuade customers to stay. Some argue that airtime providers actually try to frustrate the switch in the hope of making customers stay put.

Rob Barnes, head of mobiles and broadband at moneysupermarket.com, says: "This is good news for consumers. Slow transfers can affect consumers considerably and practically, there is no reason for porting to take as long as five days.

"The new rules follow discussions in July when Ofcom announced that it would reduce mobile number porting lead times from five days to two days from 1 April 2008.

"However, although the latest announcement is a step in the right direction, it is not clear why people should have to wait until 2009 for the two-hour transfer. I would argue that porting a number is a simple process and the regulator could have gone further by enforcing a two-hour transfer sooner.

"Networks have been able to port numbers for around 10 years, yet many people still don't realise this is an option.

"In some cases, networks also make it difficult to leave them with your original number - ultimately meaning people are reluctant to move for fear of losing the number they have had for years.

"The introduction of a two-hour deadline will raise awareness of the simplicity of the process and ensure customers can be reached immediately without having to give out their temporary new number."

Related Links

Rate This Article

Click on a star to rate this article.

7 ratings

Email a Friend

Let a friend know about this news item with an email containing a link to this page, and a customised message.

 *
 *
 *
 *

 

 *

This helps us prevent automated programs from using and slowing down our services.

About This Author

Nic Cicutti

Site Editor

Rating

Rated 4/5 (average from 7 ratings)

Rate this now

Related News

More News...

Hot Topics in our forum

More Hot Topics

Rss Feeds

Email a friend

© Moneysupermarket.com Ltd 2012