In reply to a post by uno:

Note my bolding though...

"PSTN CEASE and WLR3 CEASE"

I thought that was just bad wording and was meant to mean 'either' because there are no Cease types that include both of those references together.

Edited by PiKe (Wed 19-Oct-11 15:15:31)

Success!

I have passed the documentation over to my manager and they have discussed our
direct billing relationship with BT. BT have confirmed that a cease (M) will
not incur a charge and I have spoken to management to get this information
passed down throughout our team.
I apologise that you have been mis-informed regarding the charges.

PiKe,

Well done! You obviously got a result through research and perseverance - I must confess I don't understand all the jargon, but do you reckon it's best to get a MAC key from an ISP even though it is apparently unnecessary (?) if switching to full LLU?

A MAC code won't be used for an LLU migration so there's no real reason to request it.

In reply to a post by 4M2:

do you reckon it's best to get a MAC key from an ISP

I always recommend getting a MAC Key is good industry practice when moving ISPs. I also believe all ISPs should insist on one regardless (used or not).

The majority of customers will not understand the technical aspect behind broadband or the networks customers are dropped onto, however, for me, a MAC Key is part of contract transfer between providers. Why it's not just made into a standard process does wind me up a little. All customers would then be required to ask, which would help all parties involved and get rid of shocks regarding charges.

Edited by aquiss (Wed 19-Oct-11 16:09:37)

In reply to a post by 4M2:

... do you reckon it's best to get a MAC key from an ISP even though it is apparently unnecessary (?) if switching to full LLU?

Essential for two reasons.

First, as per this thread, though we have occasionally heard of ISPs that won't accept it as technically it isn't needed. That's because they can just take the phone line and they don't need a MAC to do that, but it automatically ceases the existing broadband. I think that's when a charge arises. Then they just set up the broadband themselves once they have control.

Second, many ISPs take the date of request or issue of the MAC as the start of the notice period you have to give, if you go through with the migration. So if you haven't asked for one they will either start the notice period from when it happens, or even worse say you still have to give notice so keep charging until you do. That has caused a few heated arguments.

Thanks fellas

Probably best to request a MAC key for any change of ISP whether it's actually required or not then?

BTW. In my experience requesting a MAC key always results in the current ISP offering a sweet retention deal of some kind even on a rolling monthly arrangement.

In reply to a post by PiKe:

A MAC code won't be used for an LLU migration so there's no real reason to request it.

Hmmm... Looks like you may have demonstrated why this could be required!

My advice to ANYONE moving ISPs would be to talk to both parties to avoid any problems...

Well I requested my MAC from Jason 2 days ago via the ukfsn portal and so far, I've received nothing, do ISP/Resellers still have 5 working days to supply it?

Edit: just checked portal and its there but it would have been nice to have been emailed with it.

Edited by PiKe (Wed 19-Oct-11 18:17:34)

In reply to a post by PiKe:

Well I requested my MAC from Jason 2 days ago via the ukfsn portal and so far, I've received nothing, do ISP/Resellers still have 5 working days to supply it?

Edit: just checked portal and its there but it would have been nice to have been emailed with it.

Re the edit - that is always the case. I think it is fairly standard across the resellers though.