|
MAC is short for Migration Authorisation Code, and is a simple
code requested by a broadband customer for switching their
broadband provider. The MAC code system has been a voluntary
scheme in the UK, which has been signed up to by the majority
of large broadband providers, such as BT, AOL, Sky, TalkTalk,
Orange and Plusnet.
On a new landline, or an existing landline without broadband,
it can take up to two weeks to activate broadband upon that
line. Likewise, if you cancel broadband on a landline, and
the tag is removed, it would take a similar amount of time
of activate a new provider upon that line. The role of a MAC
code is to seamlessly switch providers with no loss of service.
Once you request a MAC code from an Internet Service Provider,
it will typically take up to five days to arrive by post (usually
2-3 days). Once you hand over the MAC code to your new provider,
it will typically take another five days for the service to
change over. While you wait for your new provider to take
over your service, your old provider will continue to supply
broadband. Therein lies the purpose of a MAC code, to provide
a relatively quick way of switching broadband providers with
no loss of service.
The MAC code itself will typically be of 16 characters, and
be a mix of letters and numbers. The MAC code is usually valid
for 30 days, after that date you will have to request a new
one. If you request a MAC code and do not use the MAC code,
you need not do anything, your broadband service will remain
with your current provider.
|
