Most interesting - results of a conversation with OFCOM
I called the number above and talked to them about the situation. It is most interesting.
1. They are aware of problems with Lixxus and are investigating now. At the moment, they don't have any information on what is going on there as, as the lady have said, they still couldn't get in touch with anyone at Lixxus or the bodies that are liquidating/taking over Lixxus. Because of that, one cannot yet lodge a formal complaint against Lixxus. Nevertheless, Ofcom is optimistic and says that it most certainly will be possible to register a complaint against them in the near future.
2. MAC code cannot be issued. As far as Ofcom knows (establishes during their investigatino), Lixxus "is not online anymore" and "as you are not connected to them anymore, Sir, no-one can issue a MAC code: there is simply nothing there to generate it".
3. The only option is to remove the tag from the line. Ofcom CONFIRMS that it is useless to try to contact BT Wholesale: they are not obliged to look into individual customers' matters. Ofcom CONFIRMS that it is the incoming ISP's business to remove the tag and the new ISP CAN DO THAT. Nevertheless, there is bad news too. Ofcom says that the new ISP is NOT OBLIGED to do that. In other words, it is a matter of their commercial choice if they want to help you out or don't. It cannot be influenced and Ofcom cannot force them to do anything for you.
4. The practical solution that Ofcom has suggested to me is as follows. I quote it almost verbatum. Shop around, make a selection of 5-10 potential ISPs, contact them one by one and identify the one who is generous enough to remove the tag from the line. Even if you don't like this ISP particularly, go with it but take a minimum term contract with them (say, 12 months). As soon as this contract expires, move the ISP you really want to use. But think about that, Sir: if the ISP of your preferred choice treat you as a potential customer like that, do you really still want to become their customer? If I were you Sir, I won't.
5. When I made a point to the lady that the suggested route effectively limits my choice and may be argued as a case of market restriction (I am FORCED to choose a new ISP that is kind enough to do me a favour), she disagreed. She claims "the choice of potential ISPs is abundant, one cannot even imagine how vast it is" and a refusal of 5-6 companies to be kind to a particular customer cannot and will not be regarded as a market distortion as it is too small on a global scale of a rapidly developing and vast market.