Last week Ofcom celebrated the first year of its new mandatory broadband migration code (MAC) rules, highlighting a significant reduction in consumer complaints about the process (here). However uSwitch reports that four out of ten (38%) broadband switchers have not received a MAC within the compulsory 5 day period.

In addition, one in every seven (14%) requests for a MAC have failed to materialise at all, which compares with 11% prior to the introduction of the updated rules. Less than half (46%) received a MAC the first time they asked for it and nearly a quarter (24%) had to chase their ISP for the code at least once:


Ofcom has already confirmed that it intends to extend its MAC enforcement programme, albeit only by a few months. We believe that the regulator should not even entertain the notion of ending its enforcement programme until it has at least adapted the process and rules for fully unbundled lines (LLU).