Ofcom to make it easier to switch mobile operator

Communications regulator Ofcom is to make it easier for users to take their mobile number with them when they switch their mobile operator.

Ofcom is proposing that the port lead time - the period it takes to transfer a customer's number from one network to another - should be reduced from five working days to one working day following the switch.

Ofcom believes that the shorter the process, the greater consumers' willingness to switch provider. The industry consultation being published today does not consider lead times for number portability on fixed-line networks.

This area is currently being considered separately as part of Ofcom's regulatory work on migration, switching and miss-selling which began earlier this year.

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