- Simultaneous provide and cease (SPC) was a switching method used for certain cross-network broadband moves.
- It aimed to start the new service and cease the old one together, but carried a risk of a service gap.
- One Touch Switching replaced earlier switching methods with a single, gaining-provider-led process.
- Under the modern process, the gaining provider coordinates the whole switch, reducing downtime risk.
Before One Touch Switching simplified everything, broadband switching was a patchwork of methods that varied by the networks involved, and some carried a real risk of being left without service. Simultaneous provide and cease, or SPC, was one such method. Understanding it shows how far switching has come and why the modern process is better.
What SPC was
Simultaneous provide and cease was a switching method used for certain broadband moves, particularly across different network arrangements. As the name suggests, it tried to provide the new service and cease the old one at the same time. In principle this minimised disruption; in practice the coordination was imperfect, and the two events did not always align cleanly.
The downtime risk
The weakness of SPC was the gap. If the cease of the old service and the provision of the new one did not coincide exactly, the customer could be left without broadband for a period, or in some cases face complications if things overlapped or failed. This downtime risk was a genuine deterrent to switching and a source of frustration for those affected.
Why One Touch Switching replaced it
One Touch Switching was introduced to replace the older patchwork, including SPC-style processes, with a single, consistent, gaining-provider-led approach. Under it, you deal only with the provider you are joining, and they coordinate the entire switch, including ending the old service. The design goal is to align the changeover so you are not left without service, removing much of the downtime risk that older methods carried.
SPC versus One Touch Switching
| Aspect | SPC (older method) | One Touch Switching |
|---|---|---|
| Who coordinates | Varied by method | The gaining provider |
| Downtime risk | Real risk of a gap | Designed to avoid a gap |
| Customer experience | Could be complex | Single point of contact |
| Status | Superseded | Current process |
If an old SPC switch caused problems
Historic problems aside, the practical takeaway today is that you no longer have to worry about SPC: switching now runs through One Touch Switching, which is cleaner and gaining-provider-led. If a switch under any process leaves you with a service gap or a failed transfer, the providers are responsible for resolving it, and automatic compensation may apply for qualifying loss of service or delayed activation.
Frequently asked questions
What was simultaneous provide and cease?
Simultaneous provide and cease, or SPC, was an older broadband switching method used for certain cross-network moves. It aimed to start the new service and cease the old one at the same time, but the coordination was imperfect and could leave a gap in service.
Why was OTS introduced to replace SPC?
One Touch Switching was introduced to replace the older patchwork of switching methods, including SPC-style processes, with a single, consistent, gaining-provider-led approach that coordinates the whole switch and is designed to avoid leaving the customer without service.
Could SPC switching leave me without broadband?
Yes, that was its main weakness. If the cease of the old service and the provision of the new one did not align exactly, the customer could be left without broadband for a period. One Touch Switching is designed to avoid that downtime risk.
Was SPC faster than OTS?
Not in a way that benefited consumers. SPC carried a real risk of a service gap and could be complex, whereas One Touch Switching gives a single point of contact and is designed to align the changeover cleanly, which is a better overall experience.
What replaced the simultaneous provide and cease process?
One Touch Switching replaced SPC and the other older switching methods. Under it, you deal only with the provider you are joining, and they coordinate the entire switch, including ending the old service, reducing the downtime risk that older methods carried.
