This guide is designed to assist anyone
who currently has broadband internet to switch to a new supplier. If you
currently use dial-up internet, or do not have broadband, you will not
need this guide. All you need to do is visit our comparison
page and find yourself a product, and sign up as a new customer.
Why would anyone want to switch their broadband provider?
Often there are two main reasons why someone may want to switch their
broadband providers;
One: Nowadays it is very
easy to get a better deal by switching to a different broadband
supplier. Often suppliers will bring out a great cheap product which is
far greater in value than what you already have, who wouldn't be looking
around?
Two: It is common with
some providers that customers are not happy with the level of service
being provided, be this down to 'downtime', billing errors, or rude
staff.
We would advise looking for a new
package every 12 months or when your minimum term has expired, this way
you should not have to pay any contract cancellation fees. Below you
will find our 4 step guide to making the transition as seamless as
possible.
Step 1 - Obtain your MAC from your current broadband supplier
MAC stands for 'Migration Authorization Code', which is basically a
number that you must get from your current supplier before you move.
This can be done by ringing them (see below) and asking for it. Rules
state that this should happen quickly and it will be free to obtain this
number, generally it should take around 1 working day to obtain. The
code is only valid for around 30 days (ask your current supplier if they
don't offer this information), you must find a new supplier and give
this code to them within this timeframe. IMPORTANT: Do not cancel your
current broadband service, just ask for your MAC.
Step 2 - Find a new broadband supplier and package.
Find yourself a new service provider and package. One of the best
ways of doing this is through package comparison sites such as
ourselves. If you want to use our FREE service click
here.
Step 3 - Sign up to your new supplier and package and give them your
MAC.
Once you have received your MAC you can then sign up to your new
provider. Part of the sign up process will require you to enter the MAC,
it is important that you give them the correct number to avoid painful
and lengthy problems.
Step 4 - Relax and
your new supplier will do the rest.
Sit back and relax, everything else should be taken care of by your
new ISP. You may experience a short period of 'downtime', roughly about
20 minutes whilst your service is changed to your new supplier, and your
done! If you have any problems and your internet connection does not
come back on, please contact your new broadband supplier.
Please Note
This whole process is supposed to be painless, however sometimes a
problem can occur. One thing I would like to point out to you is that
you cannot receive two broadband services on your line at once, either
one provider is giving you a service, or the other one is, never both.
The reason I make this point is in relation to my own experience of
switching providers. Do not allow your old provider to charge you beyond
the date of the switchover. If they do charge you, make sure you get
this money back.
Contact Numbers (to obtain your MAC)
| AOL |
0870 320 2020 |
| Be Broadband |
0808 234 8566 |
| BT |
0800 800 030 |
| Demon |
0845 272 2333 |
| Eclipse |
0845 122 4111 |
| Orange |
0870 101 2462 |
| Pipex |
0845 077 8324 |
| Talk Talk |
0870 444 1820 |
| Tiscali |
0845 077 4488 |
| Toucan |
0800 061 3615 |
| UK Online |
0845 333 3322 |
| Virgin.net |
0845 454 1111 |
|
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