Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will take steps to promote greater transparency and dissemination of information by broadband providers to customers on charges incurred when changing suppliers.

Ofcom is committed to assisting consumers to exercise their choice and switch broadband service providers with greater ease and convenience. The new regime of Gaining Provider Led Notification of Transfer (GPL NoT) for switching between broadband providers that use the Openreach copper network should be implemented by June 2015. This new process should make changing providers more straightforward and transparent for consumers. No charges should be made for switching provider, however consumers must be aware of contractual obligations that might apply – such as the cost of leaving a contract early or charges for new equipment from the receiving provider.