Forum Discussion

derryck's avatar
derryck
Tuning in
8 months ago

One Touch Switching (OTS)

I’m  going to move away from VM. My new provider ran a check through the OTS hub to make sure that VM knew of my existence but came back negative. I do exist, I am not a phantom. The OTS isn’t meant to go live until the 12th, so perhaps this is to be expected, but it does no harm to have any pitfalls filled in in good time so that there will be a seamless transition…

Can someone at VM clarify the situation as it stands please?

18 Replies

  • They need to do it via a letter (complete with numbered paragraphs, double line spacing, and Times New Roman 12 font, but no paperclips or staples) sent by recorded delivery to Virgin Media, Sunderland, SR43 4AA, allowing 28 days. 

  • newapollo's avatar
    newapollo
    Very Insightful Person

    Hi derryck 

    You are right, the OTS is still being tested, but not all ISP's are actively linked together in the testing process.

    I'll be very suprised if there aren't a number of problems once OTS does go live on 12th September (if it actually does)

    See /thinkbroadband.com/news/10237-one-touch-switching-which-providers-are-testing-now

    In that article Andrews & Arnold lists 12 providers that they are currently testing with, but state < here >  'Things are not working correctly to all CPs in the trial. We are not allowed to tell you which, or what, so you will have to guess. Sorry.' 

    and also /thinkbroadband.com/news/10245-totsco-the-company-behind-one-touch-switching 

    There's also another company testing their own version of OTS (ICUK),

    see /ispreview/icuk-launch-broadband-one-touch-switching-platform-for-uk-isps.html 

    (ICUK is a recognised Managed Access Provider (MAP) with TOTSCo, and their software is said to be suitable for supporting OTS regardless of whether you use ICUK’s connectivity and voice services, or a competitor.)

     

  • Looking on VM's site around cancellation/moving providers, there is a paragraph about switching and what to tell the new provider if one's details can't be found. So I imagine that they are already up and running 😕

    Would be nice to get a word or two from VM...

    • Robert_P's avatar
      Robert_P
      Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team

      Hello derryck

       

      Sorry to hear you're looking to leave, as advised the One Touch Switch process is currently in it's testing period but more ISP's are being added all the time. We'd recommend contacting your new provider with the details outlined via our website to look into this further.

       

      Let us know how this goes.

      • derryck's avatar
        derryck
        Tuning in

        Both yourselves and my new provider (reseller) are already on the system, so they attempted a trial run as stated but with the not entirely unexpected result. If you think or know whether VM's OTS system is up and running it would be very helpful so I can organise my next step?

  • Considering the existing VM process for cancelling is painful, I can't imagine OTS is going to be any better, if not worse.

  • I'm leaving virgin media on 9 September, a few days before this starts

    Its been delayed many times, I don't know if it will be delayed again 

    • Robert_P's avatar
      Robert_P
      Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team

      Hi bhaskarsamani

       

      Sorry to hear of the issues with your cancellation, is this delayed by your new provider as it is them who would contact us in regards to the cancellation?

      • newapollo's avatar
        newapollo
        Very Insightful Person

        Hi Robert_P 

        I don't believe bhaskarsamani is referring to them having their cancellation delayed, but rather that OTS itself has already been delayed twice and it's possible that it will be delayed again come 12th September.

        bhaskarsamani has posted many times recently that they are leaving VM on 9th September to go to Vodafone as VM wouldn't match the price. 

  • Just to add to this, I have moved from Virgin to Plusnet today. Before committing to moving I tried to get out price reduced to match but they couldn't. I then checked the help section under "switching provider" which said all I need to do is speak to my new provider - great.

    My new Plusnet went live today so I thought I'd double check with Virgin that I'm not going to be charged anymore from tomorrow. To my horror I've been told I need to give 30 days cancellation notice and my final bill will now include a whole month I'm not even using VM. This can't be right?

    • derryck's avatar
      derryck
      Tuning in

      I'm trying to get my installation sorted before my contract runs out, but I'm being stymied. Feels like the Hotel California sometimes!

  • I am out of contract with Virgin and switched to BT last month using OTS. I know BT informed Virgin because I received a standard email from Virgin confirming the switch date of 17th September, with a switching reference number. In spite of this Virgin have billed me for another month of service from 12th October. I have called Customer Services three times and, as usual, got nowhere. One guy told me they were having some teething troubles with OTS but would get the bill cancelled (he hasn't) while the other two didn't want to know and made out I needed to contact BT about it because there was nothing on their screens about the switch. The fact that I received the switching acknowledgement email from Virgin didn't register with them at all. How on earth do I get through to these people that I have switched and they need to cancel this new bill?