One Touch Switching (OTS)

[derryck]

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?

[Cardiffman282]

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]

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.)

[derryck]

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...

[carl_pearce]

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

[Robert_P]

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.

[bhaskarsamani]

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]

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]

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. 

[bhaskarsamani]

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@newapollo wrote:

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. 

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me leaving virgin media on 9 September is not delayed, that is when my contract ends

i read about OTS 1 year a go, in august 2023, date for it has changed 2 times, i do not trust that ofcom that it will be ready on 12 September 

@Robert_P