Register | Login | About Us
AAA

Switching Guide

Broadband Switching guide

Migration access codes

Get your MAC code

Add a CommentAdd a comment (4)
PrintPrint
Email a friendSend to a friend

Migration Access Codes - also known as MAC codes, MAC keys or even MAC numbers - allow you to switch broadband provider without any break in your service.

How to get a MAC code

To get your MAC Code, first call your current internet provider on their customer service number. Then call your new internet provider, or visit their website, to switch online. The following table pulls together all the information you need. But before you switch, why not compare broadband deals in your area with our Ofcom-accredited service?

ISP Website Sales Customer service
AAISP www.aaisp.net.uk 033 33 400 222 033 33 400 999
AOL Broadband www.aolbroadband.co.uk 0800 049 4404 0800 049 1281
BE Broadband www.bethere.co.uk 0808 101 3421 0808 101 3430
Brightview (now Madasafish) www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
BT Broadband www.bt.com 0800 783 5390 0800 800 150
Bulldog (now Tiscali) www.tiscali.co.uk 0800 954 0790 0871 222 3311
Care4free (now Madasafish) www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
Community Internet www.communityinternetgroup.com na na
Demon.net www.demon.net 0800 027 3737 0845 272 2333
Direct Save Telecom www.directsavetelecom.co.uk 0800 280 2021 0800 280 2021
Easynet Connect www.easynetconnect.net 0800 053 1777 0800 053 4730
Eclipse Internet www.Eclipse.net 0800 156 0516 0845 122 4111
EFHBroadband www.efhbroadband.com 0844 99 100 11 0844 99 100 11
Entanet International www.enta.net 0333 101 0000 0333 101 0000
Fast (Dark Marketing) www.fast.co.uk 01428 727437 01428 727437
freenetname (now Madasafish) www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
Global Internet (now Madasafish) www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
ic24 (now Madasafish) www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
Internet Central www.internet-central.net 01782 667788 01782 667766
LCC Communications www.lcccommunications.com 0800 6522256 0800 6522256
Madasafish www.madasafish.com 0844 395 0830 0844 395 0830
Metronet www.metronet.co.uk 0845 140 0083 0845 140 0083
Netplan Internet Solutions www.netplan.co.uk 0870 751 8345 0870 751 8345
Nildram www.nildram.net 0800 1971 474 0871 2309 300
O2 Broadband www.o2.co.uk 0800 230 0202 0800 230 0202
OneBill Telecom www.onebilltelecom.com 0845 450 0627 0844 567 6777
Orange Broadband www.orange.co.uk 0800 072 4137 0844 871 0079
Pipex (now Tiscali) www.tiscali.co.uk 0800 954 0790 0871 222 3311
Plusnet www.plus.net 0800 694 0016 0845 140 0200
Post Office www.postoffice.co.uk 0800 092 0514 0845 722 3344
Sky www.sky.com 0844 241 1268 0844 241 0515
Spitfire www.spitfire.co.uk 0800 319 6363 0800 319 6262
T-Mobile www.T-Mobile.co.uk 0800 956 2208 0800 956 2208
TalkTalk www.talktalk.co.uk 0800 049 7843 0870 444 1820
Telewest (now Virgin Media) www.VirginMedia.com 0845 840 7777 0845 454 1111
Tiscali www.tiscali.co.uk 0800 954 0790 0871 222 3311
Total Web Solutions www.totalwebsolutions.com 0844 856 0681 0844 856 0681
Uniworld www.uniworld.co.uk 0845 458 4510 0845 458 4510
Virgin Media www.virginmedia.com 0845 840 7777 0845 454 1111
Waitrose Broadband www.waitrose.com 0800 013 2282 0800 013 2282
Zen Broadband www.zen.co.uk 0845 058 9000 0845 058 9000
Broadband L + Phone M + TV M+
Virgin Media Deals
BT Get Connected
BT Deals

What is a MAC code?

Migration Access Codes, generally known as MAC codes allow you to seamlessly switch broadband provider, without any break in your service. Technically, a MAC code is like a serial number used to identify your broadband connection within the local exchange. If you’re switching provider and they have this code, they can simply move your connection over to their service.

What does this mean? - This means that rather than going without the internet for three to four weeks while you wait for your new connection, your switchover will be seamless – with little or no downtime, no need for an engineer to visit and you could even save on connection fees.

How do I get one? - The handing out of MAC codes used to be discretionary, but telecomms regulator Ofcom decided this was unfair. It has since introduced new legislation so all ADSL internet service providers must now provide customers with a MAC code when requested.

Restrictions - If you have an local loop unbundled (LLU) connection, for TalkTalk, Plusnet and others, or a cable connection, ie Virgin Media, you won’t be able to use the MAC migration service to switch provider.

However some internet service providers are trialling LLU MAC codess. Instead you’ll have a break in your broadband service until your new connection is up-and-running.

Compare broadband deals

1.
Enter your postcode *
2.
What results would you like to see?
 
Add a CommentAdd a comment (4)
PrintPrint
Email a friendSend to a friend
Share |

We want your views, register and comment on this article

Already Registered?

We will contact you if we can help with your issue, your number will not be given to any third party.

Terms and Conditions Apply


Comments

I had already take O2 broadband that is why I need this code - Feb 18 2010 4:36PM
Jayesh Madou, Leicester

This is not the correct Customer Service number for AOL. It should be 0844 499 5555. Finally discovered this after 5 phone calls. - Jan 16 2010 12:04PM
Cassandra Mettleton, UK

I requested my mac code from my internet provider Netplus as I do not want to continue with them, but they refuse it by sending me round to different departments. So, how can get it without getting stuck with them. - Jan 13 2010 11:34PM
Ahmed Hussein, UK, London

I want to request a MAC code from Tiscali as I do not wish to continue with Talk Talk but they really give you the run around.
Website impossible / phone calls you wait in a queue for the correct connection only to be put through to another dept that is only an answer machine to leave contact details which are ignored. HELP! - Dec 12 2009 5:14PM
Christine Pritchard, UK