Switching broadband provider | Ofcom

Switching broadband provider | Ofcom

From Feb 14th 2007 broadband providers will have to supply consumers with a MAC upon request and free of charge. The MAC is the Migration Authorisation Code and allows a consumer to change broadband providers with minimal loss of service.

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.

This have been problematic to date and Ofcom found that though 83% of users found it relatively easy to change providers, 17% didn't.

There has been some resistance to this, but now wholesale broadband providers will not be able to refuse supplying the MAC.