Moving from Pipex to Plusnet

Apologies if this post seems a little naive, but I have never switched broadband ISPs before. I joined Pipex from dial-up Freeserve (as was) in February 2003, and don't really remember what the changeover procedure entailed.

Essentially what I am mainly interested in is, will I be without a broadband connection with either ISP for any length of time, or indeed at all?

I appreciate the need to obtain a MAC key from Pipex to enable Plusnet to activate the new service but does that then enable or entitle Pipex to 'switch off' my connection?

Also, as I will obviously need to pick a new email address, I was wondering what the email format is on Plusnet. On Pipex, I could choose absolutely anything before the @ symbol. Does this option exist on Plusnet? It's just that I am hopeless at picking email account names on the spur of the moment, so if I can't have my first choice I will have to get my thinking cap on beforehand.

Apart from that I think I am fairly clear on the process.

Normally when the switch of ISPs occurs, you lose your broadband connection. You then have to enter your PN details to get connected again. So depending on when the switch occurs (often overnight) and when you notice this will determine how long you are without broadband.

The losing ISP should not cut you off at any time prior to the migration completing. The MAC is valid for 30 days from it being issued so you can plan when the switch actually occurs - i.e near the end of your notice period, to reduce the amount of time you will be paying both ISPs. You can just raise a ticket with PlusNet requesting the date you would like the migration to occur on.

The format of email addresses is [email protected] where you supply the username when you sign up.

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I appreciate the need to obtain a MAC key from Pipex to enable Plusnet to activate the new service but does that then enable or entitle Pipex to 'switch off' my connection?

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In theory "no" but the way they've been operating of late that's not certain - there have even been reports of them LLUing customers to Tiscali after mac has been issued.

Best to just go for it and cut your losses - don't get talked into staying with "an offer you can't refuse" because you'll be taking a new 12 month contract.

Thanks again Nadger, and also Peter.

That was exactly what I needed to know.

Don't worry Nadger, there is absolutely no chance of being tempted to stay with 'New Pipex' as I think they probably should be styled from now on.

I did take one of these deals once before but that was with 'Old Pipex' and was actually a very good deal.

Having finally made up my mind, I am definitely going to go for it. If I do end up paying both ISPs for a short time it will have been worth it to have escaped the nightmare that Pipex has become.

It makes you wonder how many longstanding customers Pipex will have left if this bad service continues. Having been with them for five years as next month I would have happily stayed had they left my account alone, even on 2Mb. Instead they have lost a good customer, by rushing into this switchover without any thought of the impact on the end user.

Thanks again for your help.

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The format of email addresses is [email protected] where you supply the username when you sign up.

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To add to that, you can add/delete "anythings" at any time - including aliases which will all be delivered to the same mailbox (useful when signing up to various websites or forums).

I moved from Pipex to Plusnet without a second of downtime. Maybe I
was lucky!

As regards email why not get a domain name from 123 Reg (Pipex!!) or
1&1 and keep it forever. Don't forget to add a few Hotmail or Yahoo
addresses for signups though!

Meldrew

In reply to:

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I moved from Pipex to Plusnet without a second of downtime. Maybe I
was lucky!

As regards email why not get a domain name from 123 Reg (Pipex!!) or
1&1 and keep it forever. Don't forget to add a few Hotmail or Yahoo
addresses for signups though!

Meldrew

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That's encouraging. A seamless transfer would be perfect but I just have to get out of Pipex come what may, and there's always the PC at work.

I have thought about domain based email, although if necessary I can fall back on my gmail account plus several other webmail accounts.

I suspect I may get trampled in the rush when Pipex Migrations dept opens in the morning.

Thanks for the info.

Spruance

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I suspect I may get trampled in the rush when Pipex Migrations dept opens in the morning.

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I phoned at 8.01am and got straight through

Actually it was a piece of cake. Quite pleasantly surprised in fact.

Spruance