Mobile phone customers in Gedling borough can now switch providers using a single text under new rules which have come into force.

To switch suppliers, customers currently have to ring their mobile phone provider to obtain a PAC code – something watchdog Ofcom thinks puts people off from leaving.

It’s during these calls that customers often find themselves dealing with unwanted attempts by the companies to persuade them to stay.

But now, those wanting to switch can text “PAC” to 65075 to begin the process.

Their existing mobile phone provider will then respond to the text within a minute

The customer is then sent their switching code (PAC), which will be valid for 30 days

Ofcom say the provider’s reply must also include important information about any early termination charges or pay-as-you-go credit balances. There may be early termination fees if you leave before the notice period of your existing contract.

The customer then gives the code to their new provider, and their new company will the be responsible for arranging the switch within one working day.

While most people want to keep their mobile number when they switch, about one in six do not. These customers can text “STAC” to 75075 to request a “service termination authorisation code”.

Ofcom says the new text-to-switch process will make it quicker and easier for people to leave their mobile company.

It will also give them control over how much contact they have with the firm.

Ernest Doku, mobile expert at uSwitch.com called the move ‘a step in the right direction’.

For too many mobile phone customers the process of switching to a different network can be difficult and frustrating, especially if they want to keep their existing phone number.

“Disappointingly, people who are out of contract are overpaying by nearly £100 a year on their current deal, in many cases still paying for a handset that has long been paid off. And this doesn’t take into account that there are likely to be deals existing with more data for less money since they last took out a new contract.

“By ensuring that a consumer doesn’t have to call their provider to tell them they want to leave, the hassle of switching has now been reduced, and with potential savings available for millions of customers, comparing what offers are available on the market should make this an absolute no-brainer.

“With end-of-contract notifications also on the horizon, and set to arrive in early 2020, mobile users will now find it easier than ever to change to a better deal, with Text to Switch making that process even simpler.

“However, while this will certainly help, these measures do not go far enough. In the energy and financial services sectors, the switching process is handled entirely by the new provider, but phone users will still have to do the legwork themselves, even if it is now easier.

An app now being rolled out by Nottinghamshire Police could help officers reach people in isolated parts of Gedling borough quicker.

The app, what3words, divides the world into a grid of three-metre squares, which are converted from co-ordinators into a three-word address.

It is hoped the app will make it easier and quicker for people across Gedling borough to share a precise location in an emergency, helping police better serve their rural communities.

The solution can be particularly effective for emergencies in rural locations like farms, fields or wooded areas where it can be complex, imprecise and difficult to communicate location without any addresses or points of reference nearby. And even in a well-addressed town or city, the person in distress may not be familiar with their surroundings, or able to share a location with accuracy.

Superintendent Paul Burrows, from Nottinghamshire Police’s Contact Management department, said: “If you didn’t know where you were you might turn to your phone to try and locate yourself via a pin on a map – but imagine trying to describe your pin to someone over a 999 call.

“In these moments, emergency services are forced to waste precious time and resources just trying to locate the person in need of help. At best, this can be frustrating, and at worst waste crucial minutes that are the difference between life and death.

“Now, in an emergency where a location is difficult to describe, callers are able to give their 3 word address from the what3words app.”

“We are moving away from the old style questioning – ‘Where have you come from?’, ‘Where are you going?’, ‘What can you see?’

“These questions take time and aren’t always that accurate. Asking for a 3 word address has meant we have saved valuable time locating incidents.

“The Control Room staff that have used what3words for an emergency call, have said how easy it is, and they were able to find the location a lot quicker than they previously would have.”

Chris Sheldrick, co-founder and CEO of what3words, added: “Being in need of urgent help and not being able to easily describe where you are can be very distressing for the person involved and a really difficult situation for emergency services. Today people nearly always have their phone on them.

“We need to use the tools at our disposal to improve public services and potentially save lives. Just as you may have your In Case of Emergency contacts set up on your phone, we encourage everyone to download the app to make sure they are ready to quickly share accurate location information, should the worst happen.

“It’s free, it’s simple to use, and one day it might make sure you get the help you need, when you need it.

“We are continuing to work with emergency services across the country to get what3words enabled in their control rooms and to encourage the public to understand how to find and share their 3 word address so that they can be found quickly when they need it most.

“It’s been incredible to see UK police forces embrace technology to respond effectively and quickly to people in need.”