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Switching Guide

Broadband Switching guide

MAC Codes | Migration access codes

Get your MAC code

Updated: Tuesday 17 January, 2012

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

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 1279 0800 499 5555
BE Broadband www.bethere.co.uk 0808 101 3424 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 2666
Direct Save Telecom www.directsavetelecom.co.uk 0800 272 0072 0800 272 0072
Easynet Connect www.easynetconnect.net 0800 053 1777 0800 333 4400
Eclipse Internet www.Eclipse.net 0800 122 3338 0845 122 4111
EFHBroadband www.efhbroadband.com 0870 9777 186 0870 9777 186
Entanet International www.enta.net 0333 101 0000 0333 101 0000
Fast (Dark Marketing) www.fast.co.uk 01428 620032 01428 620032
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 (now Talktalk Business) www.nildram.net 0800 110 5170 0800 110 5172
O2 Broadband www.o2.co.uk 0800 380 0402 0800 230 0202
OneBill Telecom www.onebilltelecom.com 0844 225 0728 0844 567 6777
Orange Broadband www.orange.co.uk 0800 408 1718 0844 873 8586
Pipex (now Talktalk Business) www.talktalk.co.uk 0800 049 7802 0870 444 1820
Plusnet www.plus.net 0800 432 0080 0800 432 0200
Post Office www.postoffice.co.uk 0800 092 0514 0845 722 3344
Sky www.sky.com 0844 241 1653 0844 241 1653
Spitfire www.spitfire.co.uk 0800 319 6363 0800 319 6262
T-Mobile www.T-Mobile.co.uk 0800 956 3089 0845 412 5000
TalkTalk www.talktalk.co.uk 0800 049 7802 0870 444 1820
Telewest (now Virgin Media) www.VirginMedia.com 0845 840 7777 0845 6000 789
Tiscali (now Talktalk) www.talktalk.co.uk 0800 049 7802 0870 444 1820
Total Web Solutions www.totalwebsolutions.com 0844 856 0681 0844 856 0681
Uniworld (now Gamma Business Communications) gbc.gamma.co.uk 0845 521 7500 0845 521 5000
Virgin Media www.virginmedia.com 0845 840 7777 0845 6000 789
Waitrose Broadband www.waitrose.com 0800 013 2282 0800 013 2282
Zen Broadband www.zen.co.uk 0845 058 9000 0845 058 9000

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 telecoms 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 a local loop unbundled (LLU) connection, for TalkTalk, Plusnet and others, or a cable connection, e.g. 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 codes. Instead you’ll have a break in your broadband service until your new connection is up-and-running.

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Comments

i used orange mobile with bussiness(internet) i cancelled it 30.jan.2012.
so i want know my MAC number. please,reply as soon as possible.
thanks.( 078 3536 3939) - Feb 8 2012 10:30AM
pan hong kim, new malden,surrey

Plusnet are not an LLU provider, update your website. - Jan 22 2012 3:11AM
i like to know my MAC migration code please - Jan 17 2012 10:50AM
fausto galli, deganwy great britain

i use this article for my presentation .this helps me alot - Dec 8 2011 3:43AM
sadia rizwan baig, Pakistan (islamabad)

AOL are just not interested in complying with UK law, their published values etc. I have been waiting 10 weeks for my MAC code despite 4 emails, 6 telephone calls and two letters. I would strongly advise broadband customers never to go near these law breakers. - Dec 4 2011 1:57PM
Hector Robb, UK

Hi John,

I would suggest giving TalkTalk a ring or a follow up e-mail if you still haven't heard anything from them by the end of the week. You can get in touch with them on 0800 049 7843.

Kind Regards
Chloe, Broadbandchoices.co.uk - Oct 10 2011 2:50PM
TalkTalk say here that you can request a MAC code via their online contact us form: https://help.talktalk.co.uk/app/answers/preview_detail/a_id/2060

This is good for people who do not want to deal with customer services departments directly. However, having filled in the form requesting the mac code over 2 weeks ago I have received nothing from TalkTalk.

How quickly are they supposed to respond?

Thanks,
John - Oct 2 2011 9:43AM
Useful - Sep 7 2011 5:59PM
malcolm, United Kingdom

I have been asked to submit a "MAC KEY" to change to Plusnet for Broadband and Telephone. I now have the this MAC Key which is as follows:

"LAWN3586257/JH28R"

I look forward to being connected with also an answer call for when I am out to ring people back. Many thanks. - Jul 28 2011 5:25PM
Miss B I Lewis, LEOMINSTER, United Kingdom

Tried to get MAC code off Bt, they refused as am on restricted service with outstanding bill. Is this legal under Ofcom rules - Mar 22 2011 1:17PM
Paul, Middlesbrough

Show All Comments
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