Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / UK ISPs now MUST give out MAC codes

Author
Message
Zappo
Valued Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2004
Location: In the post
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 14:38 Edited at: 13th Dec 2006 14:39
Link
Just got this great bit of news from Ofcom:
Quote: "Ofcom today announced new rules intended to ensure that customers are able to switch to a different broadband provider quickly and easily. This follows a public consultation published in August.

From 14 February 2007, General Condition 22: Service Migrations will require broadband providers to supply consumers with a migration authorisation code upon request and free of charge. The new rules will also make it the responsibility of all broadband providers to ensure that technical and operational problems such as tag on line do not hinder consumers’ ability to switch."

To any of you who, like me, have found that their ISP has a 'company policy' about not handing out a MAC code to ease migration, this is fantastic news! Yippee!
Back to top
Profile PM Website
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 14:42
Link
dont you mean mac addresses?

Back to top
Profile PM Email
adr
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 21st May 2003
Location: Job Centre
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 14:50
Link
There are a lot of ADSL resellers in this country whose customer service is shocking. In order to move from one provider to another, you need to get a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC). As zappo said, some companies make it incredibly difficult to get a MAC, so you can't leave their service.

On the flipside, my provider has treated support tickets as a MAC request.... Some people have said that as soon as they said "what's wrong with x?" they get a MAC...


I'm superfly TNT
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Zappo
Valued Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2004
Location: In the post
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:02 Edited at: 13th Dec 2006 15:03
Link
Quote: " dont you mean mac addresses?"
Nope. I mean a MAC code (Migration Authorisation Code). A MAC address is a Media Access Control address - a unique identifier for network adapters. Its completely different.

adr: I wish I was with your ISP!
Back to top
Profile PM Website
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:07
Link
perhaps we use a different terminology for something very similar.

a mac address is a unique identifier attached to most network adaptors

wiki
In computer networking a Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NICs). It is a number that acts like a name for a particular network adapter, so, for example, the network cards (or built-in network adapters) in two different computers will have different names, or MAC addresses, as would an Ethernet adapter and a wireless adapter in the same computer, and as would multiple network cards in a router.


perhaps your mac code is spawned in conjunction from a mac address as well as the isps data to formulate a unique code for that machine.


wiki
In the UK a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) is a unique identifier used by broadband consumers when they wish to switch broadband service provider. The code was introduced by Ofcom and BT as a voluntary code of practice and is now standard practice for most service providers.

It appears its only a uk specific code. interesting.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Chris K
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 7th Oct 2003
Location: Lake Hylia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:14
Link
They are completely different things.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
Back to top
Profile PM
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:18
Link
im not saying they are, im suggesting as stated above, that a mac address makes up part of a mac code. please read whats been posted before making assumptions.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Zappo
Valued Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2004
Location: In the post
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:21
Link
Nope. The users MAC address does not make up part of the MAC code. The MAC code is in reference to the equipment at the local telephone exchange so the individuals ADSL link can be identified. The network equipment at the customers home is irrelevant.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Chris K
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 7th Oct 2003
Location: Lake Hylia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:24
Link
I did read what you said!

They are completely different.

It's like DOS (Data Operating System) and DOS (Denial Of Service). Totally different things - they just both happen to be about computers and start with the same three letters.

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
Back to top
Profile PM
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:24 Edited at: 13th Dec 2006 15:36
Link
I have another question, does an adsl modem/ router have a mac address in its make up?
I have a suspicion it might, being its a network device and all.
can you clarify for me? we dont have this mac code in australia, I find it interesting.


edit: I answered it myself with google, so its a unique ID not connected to your mac address.
Apparantly with an isp called tiscali or something it expires if not used in 30 days.
It also appears to be unique with adsl based setups and not cable based setups.
We have nothing like that in Australia, its interesting to see if that process will get adopted by other countries.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Chris K
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 7th Oct 2003
Location: Lake Hylia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:27
Link
I'm not definate about the router, I would expect it didn't have a MAC address.

MAC code is per customer afaik...

(Now this IS getting confusing)

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
Back to top
Profile PM
Kentaree
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2002
Location: Clonmel, Ireland
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:28
Link
Yea, every network interface needs a MAC address for routing purposes, as this is what is used at the transport layer. Routers and modems are just cut down computers, quite often running linux, in a configuration to do it's job.

Nephin Games
Devhat Developer Network and IRC Channel
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Zappo
Valued Member
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2004
Location: In the post
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:36
Link
ADSL routers and cable modems certainly do. In fact usually they have more than one - one for the outside link (HFC or Hybrid Fibre Coax link) and one for the inside network (CPE or Customer Premises Equipment link). Some cable companies actually require the MAC address from your modem so they can tie your broadband connection to it.
ADSL modems must have MAC addresses too so they can be identified and handed an IP address on the ISPs network using DHCP.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
indi
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:50
Link
thanks for clarifying, now i know.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Kentaree
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2002
Location: Clonmel, Ireland
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 15:51
Link
You're welcome ^_^. The UK is the only country I know of that uses MACs (not the addresses) for stuff like that, so I dont blame you

Nephin Games
Devhat Developer Network and IRC Channel
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
CattleRustler
Retired Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Aug 2003
Location: case modding at overclock.net
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 18:05 Edited at: 14th Dec 2006 02:15
Link
Listen to Kent, he is correct.

The people who decided to use the already defined, industry standard, internet routing term MAC (ie MAC Address) for their silly Migration Auth Code, should be slapped. Why? It spawns silly threads in geek forums.





Its 9/11 - but its FAKE 9/11 Ts=SQRT(Df/16)
Back to top
Profile PM
lagmaster
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Playing:
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 18:19
Link
there are several isps in the uk which don't recognise mac codes.

tiscali is the major one. I feel sorry for them.

mac codes are simply the easy way to switch from 1 isp to another without losing your service, only a modem reboot when it's switched is needed.

Devhat IRC Network
TFC Addict! 400+ hours
Back to top
Profile PM Email
adr
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 21st May 2003
Location: Job Centre
Posted: 13th Dec 2006 18:24
Link
Quote: "only a modem reboot when it's switched is needed"

That works ok with non LLU providers... but people like Bulldog will leave you without internet or telephone for weeks!


I'm superfly TNT
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2024-11-18 00:43:00
Your offset time is: 2024-11-18 00:43:00