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New Rule: ISPs MUST give out MAC codes

Ofcom have today announced this:

Ofcom today announced new rules intended to ensure that customers are able to switch to a different broadband provider quickly and easily. This follows a public consultation published in August.

From 14 February 2007, General Condition 22: Service Migrations will require broadband providers to supply consumers with a migration authorisation code upon request and free of charge. The new rules will also make it the responsibility of all broadband providers to ensure that technical and operational problems such as tag on line do not hinder consumers ability to switch.


This is great news for us people with ISPs who considered it 'company policy' not to give out MAC codes to those trying to migrate from them. Yippee!
 
I wonder how they deal with a situation where the customer is withholding payment owed.

Whilst all the headlines are of ISP's behaving badly, there are times when the customer is at fault for the issues.

That said - anything like this is a step forward!
 
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Can't see it making a jot of difference where a wholesale broadband provider claims that a reseller is not up to date with their payments. A certain wholesale provider, who recently reported a multi-million pound loss, with probably just carry on as they aways have done.
 
hopefull this extract taken from the press statement will cover these eventuallities
"The new rules will mean that all wholesale providers must provide MAC codes to their customers – the retail broadband providers - upon request, regardless of any dispute".
 
Good news, pity we have to wait until mid-February though and Ofcom still hasn't found a solution for situations where people can not contact their ISP to make the request.
 
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Is Kitty purring yet ?
 
I wonder how they deal with a situation where the customer is withholding payment owed.

This is what the courts are for....

But my question to anyone in the know.....
If I am on LLU.....Will I get a LLU specific MAC? (Or whichever platform I am on)
Or will they become a generic MAC that will allow movement from one platform to another?
(Or am I confusing two things here?)

EDIT.....

Just noticed that MACs may require a payment.....Anyone know if there is a standard payment or can ISPs charge what they like?
 
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I wonder how they deal with a situation where the customer is withholding payment owed.
The way I read it, the ISP's still have to provide the mac code and then chase the debt through other means rather than 'holding the line to hostage' as they would do at the moment until they are paid in full.
If this is the case then those ISP's that have long contracts (12 months +) must be worried as it could mean they could lose a customer after, say, 2 months and then have the hassle of trying to get their money from them.
It'll be interesting to see if any monthly costs rise due to this increased risk of debt collection.
 
The way I read it, the ISP's still have to provide the mac code and then chase the debt through other means rather than 'holding the line to hostage' as they would do at the moment until they are paid in full.
If this is the case then those ISP's that have long contracts (12 months +) must be worried as it could mean they could lose a customer after, say, 2 months and then have the hassle of trying to get their money from them.
It'll be interesting to see if any monthly costs rise due to this increased risk of debt collection.

From an ISP's point of view this is going to be a pain in the backside, I need to contact the 'relevant' people to find out how this will affect such situations. My own point of view being, if they have not paid for their service then they should not get their code.

I am fully for the fact like the biscit situation.
 
This is what the courts are for....

But my question to anyone in the know.....
If I am on LLU.....Will I get a LLU specific MAC? (Or whichever platform I am on)
Or will they become a generic MAC that will allow movement from one platform to another?
(Or am I confusing two things here?)

EDIT.....

Just noticed that MACs may require a payment.....Anyone know if there is a standard payment or can ISPs charge what they like?

I think there will still be two types of MAC codes as this will help BT know what task is needed when the work is handed out. To migrate a LLU customer back to BT IPstream it takes an engineer to go to the exchange and phyically move them from the LLU companies DSLAM back to BT's DSLAMs
 
My own point of view being, if they have not paid for their service then they should not get their code.
I am fully for the fact like the biscit situation.

But that seems contrary to the new code
1.14 This means that broadband service providers who are losing a customer will be required to provide MACs on request in most cases. They will not be able to withhold MACs where the customer owes them money (“debt blocking”) or charge for MACs. At the same time, however, customers need to make themselves aware of their responsibilities under the contract that they have with their broadband provider – which may for example require them to pay an early termination charge if they wish to leave their contract before the agreed date.

In full here http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/migration/statement/

This says that an ISP can't withhold a mac if they are owed money but it doesn't release the customer from their contractual agreement i.e. they would still be liable for the remainder of their contract. The fun will be when the customer doesn't pay up.
 
As I said, that is my own point of view. But if that is Ofcom's ruling then so be it, but we will have to setup a process to deal with such customers.
 
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Maybe one method of making sure you are no owed any money is to use NTL method of taking money.

NTL take payment on the 5th of the month for a billing period dated 25th of the month. 20 days in advance gives them plenty of time to chase up any none payments.
 
Last edited:
Hugh Patterson will not sleep now

Oh no! what is Hugh Patterson going to do helping people by issuing out MAC codes for FREE he will not sleep at night with his wallet not filling so quick.
Sleep tight Hugh God bless.:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :laugh: :laugh:
 
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