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