How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?

How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?

My ISP (an Entanet reseller) are moving to VISPA on Monday 8th. They've
only given me a few days notice (by mail - no emails) and I don't want
to transfer (ie set up a DD with VISPA).


I've asked my ISP for a MAC code and they tell me they are unable to
request one from BT until after the transfer and that it can then take
up to 5 days for it to come through. Are they lying?

"james" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?
>
> I've asked my ISP for a MAC code and they tell me they are unable to
> request one from BT until after the transfer and that it can then take
> up to 5 days for it to come through. Are they lying?

I thought it was the ISP that gave the MAC code themselves, when I have need
them they came very quick, from memory 24 hours 'ish. Certainly not
indecating they had to contact someone ealse.

Surely you will not be cut off if you fail to do a DD by Monday.
Regards
David

On 05/02/2010 11:43, David wrote:
>
>
> "james" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?
>>
>> I've asked my ISP for a MAC code and they tell me they are unable to
>> request one from BT until after the transfer and that it can then take
>> up to 5 days for it to come through. Are they lying?
>
> I thought it was the ISP that gave the MAC code themselves, when I have
> need them they came very quick, from memory 24 hours 'ish. Certainly
> not indecating they had to contact someone ealse.
>
> Surely you will not be cut off if you fail to do a DD by Monday.
> Regards
> David

According to the letter if I haven't set up a DD by transfer date,
(Monday), I'll be presented with "an automatic screen that will prompt
you to setup you payment method." - so I'm as good as cut off if I
don't like their conditions.

David <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
: I thought it was the ISP that gave the MAC code themselves, when I have need
: them they came very quick, from memory 24 hours 'ish. Certainly not
: indecating they had to contact someone ealse.

No - the MAC codes are issused to the ISPs from a central BT system AFAIK!

Under OFCOM rules they have up to 5 days to obtain them and get them to
the customer - by whatever means they wish!

"Brian Mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:hkh1eh$d2p$(E-Mail Removed)...
> David <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> : I thought it was the ISP that gave the MAC code themselves, when I have
> need
> : them they came very quick, from memory 24 hours 'ish. Certainly not
> : indecating they had to contact someone ealse.
>
> No - the MAC codes are issused to the ISPs from a central BT system AFAIK!
>
> Under OFCOM rules they have up to 5 days to obtain them and get them to
> the customer - by whatever means they wish!
>

Thanks, I must have done very well then.
James looks to have been placed in a situation where he more or less forced
to go over to the new supplier. Wonder if he does choose to continue
without service interruption how long he as to remain before he can move
away from them.

If he chooses to tell them were to go and they cut him off on Monday, his
down time will be for as long as the new ISP can arrange to connect him, I
assume in this situation he will not need a MAC.
Really will they cut him off, if they do that to sufficient people they will
not gain much in having taken the present ISP over.

It is James choice but stubborn me would sign up today with my new choice of
ISP and sweat it out from Monday if cut off.
Regards
David

On 05/02/2010 14:02, David wrote:
>
>
> "Brian Mc" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:hkh1eh$d2p$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> David <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> : I thought it was the ISP that gave the MAC code themselves, when I
>> have need
>> : them they came very quick, from memory 24 hours 'ish. Certainly not
>> : indecating they had to contact someone ealse.
>>
>> No - the MAC codes are issused to the ISPs from a central BT system
>> AFAIK!
>>
>> Under OFCOM rules they have up to 5 days to obtain them and get them to
>> the customer - by whatever means they wish!
>>
>
> Thanks, I must have done very well then.
> James looks to have been placed in a situation where he more or less
> forced to go over to the new supplier. Wonder if he does choose to
> continue without service interruption how long he as to remain before he
> can move away from them.
>
> If he chooses to tell them were to go and they cut him off on Monday,
> his down time will be for as long as the new ISP can arrange to connect
> him, I assume in this situation he will not need a MAC.
> Really will they cut him off, if they do that to sufficient people they
> will not gain much in having taken the present ISP over.
>
> It is James choice but stubborn me would sign up today with my new
> choice of ISP and sweat it out from Monday if cut off.
> Regards
> David

If I do that I'm likely to have to pay a connection charge of about £50
or £60 - or more likely be refused connection as the exchange here is
full up - so a MAC is essential.

"james" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On
>
> If I do that I'm likely to have to pay a connection charge of about £50
> or £60 - or more likely be refused connection as the exchange here is
> full up - so a MAC is essential.


Well Be did not charge me one, think same will go for O2 their owner.
Well what are you going to do?
Regards
David
PS Any others in same take over possition?

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, james <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?
>
>My ISP (an Entanet reseller) are moving to VISPA on Monday 8th. They've
>only given me a few days notice (by mail - no emails) and I don't want
>to transfer (ie set up a DD with VISPA).
>
>
>I've asked my ISP for a MAC code and they tell me they are unable to
>request one from BT until after the transfer and that it can then take
>up to 5 days for it to come through. Are they lying?

If your current DD is to Entanet, then I'd have thought your contract
is with Entanet and not the reseller, so they might be on sticky grounds
regarding moving you.

I'd get in-touch with entanet directly and establish with them that you
do not want to be migrated.

Last time I asked for a MAC from Entanet (I'm a reseller) I got it more
or less immediately, but it might be different for resellers with 1000's
of customers who are doing the bulk migation thing.

Gordon

On 05/02/2010 17:16, Gordon Henderson wrote:
> In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, james <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> How long does it take for an ISP to provide a MAC code?
>>
>> My ISP (an Entanet reseller) are moving to VISPA on Monday 8th. They've
>> only given me a few days notice (by mail - no emails) and I don't want
>> to transfer (ie set up a DD with VISPA).
>>
>>
>> I've asked my ISP for a MAC code and they tell me they are unable to
>> request one from BT until after the transfer and that it can then take
>> up to 5 days for it to come through. Are they lying?
>
> If your current DD is to Entanet, then I'd have thought your contract
> is with Entanet and not the reseller, so they might be on sticky grounds
> regarding moving you.

I'm not sure - I signed up with Titan and then had to fill in a DD for
payments to entanet. Usage info is from an enta web page and I have
separate billing password with them.



>
> I'd get in-touch with entanet directly and establish with them that you
> do not want to be migrated.

OK. I emailed entanet who replied that the MAC code has already been
used by titan and the migration to vispa is in progress.

They suggest I wait until transfer is complete and ask Vispa for a MAC
code, OR contact titan and ask them to cancel the migration. I don't
know if vispa would supply a MAC code before I've paid them something,
so I've emailed titan and asked them to cancel the migration . . . but
no reply sofar.




>
> Last time I asked for a MAC from Entanet (I'm a reseller) I got it more
> or less immediately, but it might be different for resellers with 1000's
> of customers who are doing the bulk migation thing.
>
> Gordon

On 05/02/2010 15:33, David wrote:
>
>
> "james" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> On
>>
>> If I do that I'm likely to have to pay a connection charge of about £50
>> or £60 - or more likely be refused connection as the exchange here is
>> full up - so a MAC is essential.
>
>
> Well Be did not charge me one, think same will go for O2 their owner.
> Well what are you going to do?
> Regards
> David
> PS Any others in same take over possition?


If I ask to be connected without a mac code, I think they'd just say
there is already ADSL on the line and they need the code.

I've asked my ISP to cancel the migration, but don't know if they can do
it in time, so don't know yet what I'm going to do. If the auto screen
comes up on Monday and I can get away with a single monthly payment, I
may do that if I have to - better than risk losing my internet for a few
months until the exchange here gets more capacity, but I do feel angry
about it. If I have to enter a contract, I'll risk losing my connection
and investigate mobile broadband to tide me over. I have a weak 3G
signal upstairs here.