Switching for Business should be easy.
CSP gives UK providers one place to run Switching for Business, also called Gaining Provider Led Business (GPLB). Match the customer, place the order and follow every step through to completion. CSP connects you as a Managed Access Provider (MAP) on the Connected Services Framework (CSF), and we help you connect it all.
What is Switching for Business?
Switching for Business is the industry process for moving a business customer’s broadband or voice service between providers. The gaining provider leads the switch, so the customer deals with one company, not two.
Providers take part through the Connected Services Framework (CSF), the framework through which Managed Access Providers (MAPs) connect. As a MAP, CSP helps you connect everything.
New to the terms? Read our plain-English guide to Switching for Business. You can also read the FCS overview of gaining provider led business switching.
At a glance
- Who it is for: providers that sell broadband or voice to UK business customers and send the bill. Residential One Touch Switching does not cover it. Business switching is a separate process with its own messages and timescales.
- How it connects: through the Connected Services Framework (CSF), the framework through which MAPs connect. As a MAP, CSP helps you connect it all.
- Timescales: the losing provider replies to a match request by the end of the next working day, longer for large volumes. A switch order reference (SOR) stays valid typically for up to 180 days.
- Going live: typically 1 to 5 days from signing, by portal, API or both.
- Support: people, not a ticket queue, during UK business hours.
Business switching is different, and harder.
Business customers don’t tolerate delays. Every switch affects contracts, operations, and revenue.
Lost revenue
High support costs
Operational burden
Regulatory risk
How a business switch works with CSP
Five steps. You can see where every order is at any point.
Watch: how a business switch travels through CSP in 30 seconds.
Match
You send us the customer and service details. We check them and send the match request to the losing provider.
Order
Once the match is confirmed, we can request more asset details and place the order using the switch order reference (SOR). A SOR stays valid typically for up to 180 days.
Respond
The losing provider replies. We track the response times for you and flag anything that is running late.
Switch
We confirm the switch date and keep you and the losing provider in step until the service moves.
Complete or recover
When the switch is done, we close it off. If something fails or a message goes missing, we chase it with the other provider until it is sorted.
Business switching vs residential One Touch Switching
Does it apply to me? If you sell broadband or voice to UK business customers and send the bill, Switching for Business applies to you. Complying with residential One Touch Switching does not cover it: it is a separate process with its own messages and timescales. CSP runs both.
| Residential One Touch Switching | Switching for Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Match reply | Automatic, within 60 seconds | By the end of the next working day, longer for large volumes. Can be automatic or include a human-in-the-middle option. |
| Services per switch | One customer, one switch | Many services under one switch order reference (SOR), typically valid for up to 180 days |
| How you connect | Through CSP, a Managed Access Provider (MAP), to the TOTSCo hub | Through CSP, a Managed Access Provider (MAP) on the Connected Services Framework (CSF) |
| SOR valid for | 30 days | Typically up to 180 days |
| Also called | OTS | SforB, Gaining Provider Led Business (GPLB) |
| With CSP | Portal, API or both | Portal, API or both |
One provider. Every part of the switch covered.
Coordination
We work directly with losing providers. That means quicker handovers and no chasing by email.
Compliance
We built our service around the GPLB process, so your switches follow the same rules as everyone else’s. Switching for Business and GPLB, handled properly, so the level playing field is real, not just a promise.
Data management
Send your order data through the portal or the API. We check it for gaps and errors before it goes to the losing provider.
Complexity
We support from simple to the most complex multi-site, multi-service, multi-asset, non-co-terminus switches.
Support
We resolve directly with the losing provider. Your team can speak to ours during UK business hours.
Open but secure API
Send and receive switching messages by API. We ensure switching messages are delivered from you to all complying Communication Providers across the UK.
Everything your sales team, operations team, and customers need - in one place.
For your sales team
For your operations team
For your customers
Security and assurance
Switching data is customer data, so we treat it carefully.
Getting started
Most providers go live in a few steps. We guide you through each one. Typical time from signing to going live: 1-5 days.
Register
Register with the CSF. Or choose our Full Management service: CSP is a Managed Access Provider (MAP), so we handle your connection and onboarding for you.
Connect
Connect your systems by portal, API or both.
Test
Test with us.
Go live
Go live.
What good looks like.
Without CSP
You manually coordinate with the losing provider. Data is messy. Provisioning takes weeks. Your customer gets frustrated. Some will cancel their switch.
With CSP
Our web plugin makes it easy to match business customers. Uploading customer data keeps you compliant. Match, order and track in one place. We check your data before it is sent, and we follow up with the losing provider for you.
The difference? Speed. Simplicity. Support.
Built for providers who care about business customers.
Whatever you’re building - network, customer base, or margin - we support your switching so you don’t have to.