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MAC number?
trikerneil - 31/3/09 at 01:58 PM

Hi

I dunno if anyone can help with this one?

A friend of mine has a problem with Virgin Broadband.

Her son, who had Virgin broadband, moved out 6 weeks ago and since then has been trying to get the MAC number so that my friend can get broadband of her own with BT.

Virgin are playing silly b*ggers and keep fobbing them off, BT are saying they can't do anything without the MAC number.

Has anyone any ideas how they can move forward with this.

Thanks in advance

Neil

andyharding - 31/3/09 at 02:12 PM

2 different and incompatible technologies. Virgin use their own fibre to deliver broadband. Everyone else uses a BT phone line. Either continue to use Virgin or cancel the contract and order a BT phone line and then broadband.

Pdlewis - 31/3/09 at 02:13 PM

Ring virgin and if they dont give the MAC number on the call tell them you are going to speak to Ofcom

Edit to say Virgin do deliver ADSL via the phone as well as cable

[Edited on 31/3/09 by Pdlewis]

matt_claydon - 31/3/09 at 02:21 PM

Actually Virgin also do ADSL broadband via the phoneline in areas without cable.

BenB - 31/3/09 at 02:32 PM

Isn't the MAC hard wired into the modem. If they've still got that couldn't they fire it up and find the MAC. You don't need to be connected to anything, I've modified the MAC on my laptop many a time.....

matt_claydon - 31/3/09 at 02:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Isn't the MAC hard wired into the modem. If they've still got that couldn't they fire it up and find the MAC. You don't need to be connected to anything, I've modified the MAC on my laptop many a time.....


Wrong type of MAC!

When you want to switch broadband you need a 'Migration Authorisation Code' from your existing supplier to give to the new one. Just like the PAC you need to move your mobile number from one operator to another.

Staple balls - 31/3/09 at 02:42 PM

quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Isn't the MAC hard wired into the modem. If they've still got that couldn't they fire it up and find the MAC. You don't need to be connected to anything, I've modified the MAC on my laptop many a time.....


That's another MAC. (Media Access Control address)

This is Migration Access Code. lets you change adsl ISPs with relatively little trouble, supposedly

BenB - 31/3/09 at 05:46 PM

Aha! I did wonder.

Oh the fun you can have

"But I don't have a MAC I have a PC."

"You want my MAC? what if I haven't passed SVA yet?"

Hohohoho....

martyn_16v - 31/3/09 at 09:12 PM

Tell BT they're being arses (again). They are perfectly capable of provisioning a new service without a MAC, just not quite as quickly.

britishtrident - 1/4/09 at 06:32 AM

I have a client having the same problem with AOHell, it is taking so long he is considering going Wireless Broadband with O2, which might work for him as he is a very light user -- oo missus no he dosen't work for the Coastguard !