UK Broadband Finder note 11/06/07 - this blog post was written in October 2006. For up to date information about switching broadband providers, click here to read our current article.

I find it hard to be offline for even half a day – on holiday in the Highlands earlier this year we spent so much time trying to get our laptop data card working so we could email my mum to say how beautiful the scenery was, we missed most of the views as our train chugged through the mountains. And our connection was so slow we had to email her again to see if she’d got the first email – it was like 1994-era dial-up all over again. 

If I didn’t have access to email and the web for a few days I’d go nuts – no news, no food delivery, no email, no online clothes shopping. Eventually I’d die of boredom and/or starvation but worse than that, I’d have nothing to wear. 

This is many people’s main fear about switching broadband provider – maybe not the lack of Topshop online but certainly the days, possibly stretching into weeks if it all really went pear-shaped, with no broadband connection at all.

So: how can you change your broadband provider... painlessly?

The answer is, with a MAC – which your current ADSL provider should give you… but may not.

Which could leave you stuck on a slow-ish speed at a relatively high cost, particularly if you signed up with your current broadband provider a while ago.

There’s been a lot in the news recently about this as Ofcom – the telecommunications watchdog – wants broadband providers to improve handovers.

Currently if you are on ADSL or ADSL MAX (broadband via your phone line) you’ll need a MAC, or migration authorization code. (This is often referred to as a MAC code which infuriates the pedant in me – it’s like saying a migration authorization code code, but I think I’m fighting a losing battle on that one).  You get your MAC from your current broadband internet provider.

But this is a voluntary code that broadband providers can sign up to or not. Ofcom have received loads of complaints from people who’ve had real problems getting a MAC from their current broadband provider but because the current scheme is voluntary here hasn’t been much comeback. Because of this, Ofcom are currently consulting on bringing in new mandatory rules that would apply to all UK broadband providers, to, in their words, “require broadband service providers to provide MACs to customers on request and to comply with a specific process for doing so.”

Ofcom are also going to consult again in six months on allowing customers to get a MAC from someone apart from their own current broadband provider. (You can find out more about these consultations on Ofcom’s website here. On the Ofcom website you can also see the current Broadband migration - industry code of practice which lists those broadnand providers which have signed up to the code).

Despite this, the current process can and does work well for many people – so if you’re looking to switch providers, here are five tips:

1. Check your current package to see if you’ll be liable for any cancellation charges – these are often charged if you try to switch package in the first year (though some broadband providers have longer or shorter contracts). Some providers with short contracts still charge more if you cancel early on, for the convenience of you knowing that you can leave.

2. Keep an eye out for special switching offers (yay!) or even regrade fees (boo!) when choosing your new package. 

At the time of writing BT Total Broadband is offering £30 or £40 cashback (depending on which package you take) if you switch online to them from another DSL broadband provider. Pipex is offering two months free (or a free modem) if you switch online to one of their residential broadband packages. If you take a business broadband package from Telecomplete you can save £36 a year if you are switching from another ADSL provider.

Unfortunately some broadband providers may only give you broadband at your current speed unless you pay a regrade fee – it may still be worth switching but remember to factor this into your annual cost.

3. Call up your current ADSL broadband provider and ask for a MAC.  You may then find that your current provider offers you a better deal, such as a free speed upgrade – it may be worth doing this particularly if you’re happy with other aspects of the service.

Your MAC should be with you within 5 working days – but it is only valid for 30 days. If it takes you longer to find the package you want you’ll have to apply for a new MAC.

4. Use your MAC to sign up with your new provider. When you have found a new broadband package, if it is another ADSL package you’ll be asked for your MAC when you sign up online. With a MAC you should have only a few hours’ or no downtime at all when you switch.

5. Whatever you do, DON’T call up your current ADSL broadband provider and cancel – the whole point of a MAC is that your new broadband provider takes the code, and managers the changeover process directly with your old broadband internet provider. So if you cancel the old broadband provider then set up with a new broadband provider you’ll be left with a few days (or longer) in between with no broadband service at all.

Not on ADSL or a broadband type delivered over a BT line? We’ll be looking at switching to or from cable broadband soon.

UK Broadband Finder note on blogs: First published 2 October 2006. Please note that blog posts remain live, and any offers or information may no longer be current when you view this page.