Ofcom migration processes

As new types of technology emerge in the broadband market, the switching process is becoming more complicated. Use our guide to find out whether you need to do a cease and re-provide, if you can use the letter facilitation process or if you just need a standard MAC code.

• Terms used in this article:
• Between IPStream/DataStream and cable
• Between two IPStream/DataStream providers
• IPStream/DataStream to Shared LLU
• Shared LLU to IPStream/DataStream
• Shared LLU to Shared LLU
• To Full LLU from IPStream/DataStream, Shared LLU or Full LLU
• To IPStream/DataStream or Shared LLU from Full LLU

• IPStream/DataStream: Where your broadband service is provided over the BT telephone network by an ISP
• Cable: Where broadband services are provided over a cable TV network from Virgin Media
• Shared LLU: Where only your broadband service is provided using LLU. Also known as SMPF (Shared Metallic Path Facilities)
• Full LLU: Where you have your voice and broadband service is provided using LLU. Also known as full MPF (Metallic Path Facilities)
• Provide then cease: Where the gaining provider is installed, then the existing provider is cancelled
• Cease and re-provide: Where the existing provider is cancelled then the gaining provider is installed
• Standard MAC code: Used in migrations between two IPStream/DataStream connections
• LLU MAC code: Used in some migrations from Shared LLU to IPStream/DataStream, between two Shared LLU providers or from IPStream/DataStream to Shared LLU
• Letter facilitation process: Used when switching to or from Full LLU
• Simultaneous provide: Used when switching from Full LLU

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• No migration process in place
• You should use “provide then cease” where the gaining provider is installed, then the existing provider is cancelled
• Or, “cease and re-provide” where the existing provider is cancelled then the gaining provider is installed

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• Standard MAC process applies
• You must contact existing ISP and ask for a MAC. Do not ask for the service to be stopped
• Existing ISP will send the MAC to them within five working days. The MAC is valid for a period of 30 days from the date it is issued
• Standard MAC codes consist of four letters that identify the underlying service (BBIP or FTIP for IPStream, BBDS for DataStream) followed by between seven and nine numbers, a slash, and five alphanumeric characters: BBIP1234567/1F6HT

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• MAC process applies but is different from above
• Contact existing ISP for an LLU MAC, which starts with four letters (LLUS), then six numbers, followed by another four numbers representing the expiry date of the LLU MAC code: LLUS123456ddmm
• Order goes via BT Openreach rather than directly through BT Wholesale

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• The process depends on whether the gaining ISP uses the new BT ordering system or not:
• New BT ordering system: You can obtain an LLU MAC code as above
• Old BT ordering system: There is no migration process in place and you must use “cease and re-provide” where existing provider is cancelled then gaining provider is installed

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• You can obtain an LLU MAC code as above

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• The process depends on whether the gaining ISP uses the new BT ordering system or not:
• New BT ordering system: You should contact gaining provider to say you want to switch
• The switch is facilitated through your voice provider. You will receive two “notification of transfer” letters. One from your existing voice provider and one from your gaining provider with details of the switch. This is known as the “letter facilitation process”
• You do not need to contact your existing broadband provider
• Old BT ordering system: There is no migration process in place and you must use “cease and re-provide” where existing provider is cancelled then gaining provider is installed

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• The process depends on whether the gaining ISP uses the new BT ordering system or not:
• New BT ordering system: Firstly you will need to choose your new home phone and broadband providers. These do not have to be the same provider. This process is known as “simultaneous provide”
• Contact either one of your gaining home phone or broadband providers and place a migration order from Full LLU
• You will get an order reference number which you need to pass on to your other new provider so that the two orders are tied
• This process then follows the “letter facilitation process” (see above)
• This process doesn’t guarantee that both services arrive on the same day so you may have to wait to use your broadband connection if you used two separate suppliers
• Note: the simultaneous provide process is not widely adopted by ISPs
• Old BT ordering system: There is no migration process in place and you must use “cease and re-provide” where existing provider is cancelled then gaining provider is installed

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