The Data Communications Company (DCC) is today (9 July) hosting a summit beginning the programme which will deliver next day switching for energy customers.
Last year Ofgem unveiled its plans to introduce next day switching. The Central Switching Service (CSS) was initially scheduled to go live at the end of next year but it has since been pushed back to 2021.
The DCC is a key delivery partner of the regulator and will develop and implement the new CSS.
Suppliers will not initially be obliged to switch customers by the end of the next working day. However, Ofgem said it will introduce a “regulatory backstop” requiring them to switch customers within five working days.
“We expect that competition and customer choice will result in next-day switching becoming the norm,” it explained. “Should that not be case, we will consider whether it is necessary to further tighten the switching speed requirement in the supply licences.”
The CSS will be responsible for ensuring meter points are accurately matched to addresses from an authoritative database for Great Britain.
Speaking at the summit Angus Flett, DCC’s chief executive, said: “Next-day switching puts consumers in the driving seat and gives them the ability to switch easily to a better deal, or even choose greener tariffs that allow them to invest in renewables.
“We’ve assembled a strong set of new service providers with the expertise to make the switching programme a reality.
“Our switching summit brought together these providers, our customers and other voices from the industry to share their knowledge.
“Faster, more reliable switching, and our focus on the smart meter roll-out, are core to DCC’s vision of making Britain more connected, so we can all lead smarter, greener lives.”
As part of the programme four contracts have been awarded to companies to deliver the essential services it requires.
They include:
- Netcompany to provide systems integration services for the duration of the design, build and test phase
- Landmark to design, build, test, transition to live operation and then operate the Central Switching Service
- Capgemini to design, configure, test, transition to live and then operate service management tools to support the switching programme
- Expleo to provide assurance services to Ofgem over the programme’s design, build and test phase
As well as the switching programme the DCC is responsible for operating a central communications network for smart meters, allowing first-generation (SMETS1) meters to become interoperable.
To date around 1.4 million second-generation (SMETS2) devices have been installed.