MAC problems

Has anyone else had mac problems moving from plusnet to sky? the mac code that pn have given me, sky are saying its not compatable.
Cheers

http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=sky&Number=2778696

This thread about f2s MAC not being accepted! Could be a problem with Sky/BT! I wouldn't, however, be surprised if ISP purposely give wrong MAC keys to thjose who want to migrate - I have heard ISPs to do desperate things to keep customers!

I would suggest contacting PlusNet for a confirmation of the MAC key or to ask for a new one!

F

they said its the new style of mac code and they cant regen one int he old style.

A new style MAC code??? I probably have been too busy lately to keep track of such changes :-s The last time I looked at MAC codes there was just the odd standard one that expires if not used within 30 odd days!

Are you on an LLU with PlusNet or are you still on BT IPStream - I have read threads about people on LLU not being able to migrate, but having to do a cease and reprovide!

Can anyone else shed some light on this - especially about these new style MAC codes?

F

The new codes issued by Openreach are slowly replacing the old ones issued by BTW and a number of ISP's who have failed to keep up with the chages are confusing them with the old LLU codes.

The information about the change has been around for months so there really is no excuse.

The losing ISP really cannot do anything about it, the problem is being caused by the gaining ISP, Sky in this case.

The old codes were in this format :

4 letters (BBIP or FTIP), 8 numbers (up to 12 nos), /, 2 letters, 2 numbers, 1 letter. eg: BBIP12345678/AB12A

The new codes are like this :

"L" 10 alphanumeric>/<5 alphanumeric> eg LBST1234567/DC22J.

The manual LLU codes begin with an "'L" and some ISPs have their systems and training set to consider anything begining with "L" as an LLU code, or to reject anything that does not begin with "BBIP" or "FTIP"

Edited by Mark_Taylor (Thu 30-Nov-06 12:39:19)

Plus gave me an "old style" MAC code on the 19th November which I gave to Sky the next day.

The guy @ Sky checked the code was valid whilst I was on the phone and had no problems.

All connected up to Sky last night

Plus will give you what they get from the MAC system and at the moment it is in a transition phase where some will be old and some will be new and that part is out of the control of the ISP.

Right now it looks like Sky only seem to understand the old codes so if you are fortunate enough to get one of those then you will be OK, if not then prepare to argue your case with Sky as your old ISP cannot help you.

can they regen them? to maybe get an old code?
Cheers

I think I read somewhere that someone was told by Plus ... once they generated a MAC code for you, they have to wait 30 days before they can generate another one for you.

ah well thanks for that.
Just phoned sky again and its gone through fine this time :S dont know what the problem was....
Thanks for the help!

It is more basic than that.

Once your line is properly transferred to Openreach you will only ever get a new style MAC.

You are correct in general though that a new MAC can only be obtained once the 30 day life has expired.

If you have access to the BT Order checker you can look for something like this on it :

PROVIDE LLU LINE SHARE PSTN 1 � 0.0 � 0.0
CEASE BT IPSTREAM MAX PREMIUM 1 � 0.0 � 0.0

That is what a change in control of a line to Openreach looks like.

Once that has happened you will only get a new style MAC as far as I know.

Please note that this does not mean that you are on LLU, but that Openreach considers all ADSL lines 'owned' by BTW to be equivalent to a line 'owned' by any other LLU operator.

This is part of the process of leveling the playing field between BTW and the LLU providers.