I recently cancelled my Sky TV package which meant I also had to lose my Sky Broadband service. I had to give them a months notice. Two weeks before the date the cancellation took effect I phoned Sky for a MAC code but they refused to give me one claiming that, because I had cancelled the service their system would not allow it. Needless to say this was not explained when I cancelled the TV package. I now face being without Broadband for a considerable time while the tag is removed. The Sky representative I spoke to could not care less....lousy customer service.

hi herd about you aveing trouble with your mac i think you might find your mac no on the paper they sent you or on the bottom of your router have a look ok hope that sloved your problem if not they got to give it to you

Unfortunately hellfire you're not the first, nor I very much doubt the last, to fall at the mercy of the ISP on this one.

This is a very common problem that many ISP's use (petty in my opinion), used to be a big thing a couple of years ago but not so much these days.

Best suggestion would be to try and speak to Sky, nicely sometimes works, but try calling after 11 at night, you should get hold of a UK based operator.

@ rob: the mac code that hellfire was after is the MAC - Migration Authorisation Code. This is the unique identifier for your broadband service and is used to transfer your service from one ISP to another. Only definitely works if you are using a BT line though (Sky's service retains the BT line, so you should opt for the BT Option 1 package and online billing for the cheapest line rental and Sky's call package sits on top). It's a bit like porting your number from one mobile/landline operator to another.

If you are on a full LLU service, like most* Tiscali/Carphone Warehouse and many others, you should be aware that you are giving up your BT line. If you want to return to BT in the future you'll likely have to pay a connection fee!! Currently about £120 :o

Also with full LLU services, MAC's are 1) not guaranteed to work or be accepted by the receiving ISP or 2) may not even be given!!! Although this is a breach of the code of practice Ofcom introduced last year, which basically states that you should receive a MAC within 5 days of requesting it, although if a termination has been actioned then this may not be possible. The MAC is only valid for 30 days, after which you'll need to request a new one - but be careful, some ISP's consider a request for your MAC to mean termination and may well switch off your connection even if you don't use the MAC!!!!

Oh, the mac that you mention rob is the mac address, the unique code for each ethernet device - this is a globally unique address (but is easy to spoof). My mac address on the pc i'm using to type this, is different to the mac on the router and on your pc. This is not the same as an IP address and is not to be confused with the Migration Authorisation Code, that can only come from your ISP.

Got loads to do and I'm sat here, see you later, hope this all helps.

h

to who ever is haveing trouble getting your mac address its on your router if you look at your router page you will see your mac address try that

I finally kicked Sky into touch and lost broadband for a few days. However, the service I got from my new ISP, Plus Net has been outstanding and they reconnected me pdq. I think Sky has sold a lot of broadband packages purely off the back of the deal they offer Sky TV subscribers. They certainly won't win any prizes for their lousy customer service whether they answer the phone in Bombay or Livingstone. I guess Murdoch is too riuch to give a damn anyway.

Happy Plus Net subscriber

Really I never heard this before, my router wasn't even supplied by AOL so how can this be the case that my MAC code is at the bottom of it?? It doesn't make sense, I've done lots of digging and checked out a few sites including http://www.maccode.co.uk and they say it can only be obtained by calling AOL direct???

You get a Migration Authorisation Code from your ISP. Network devices such as routers, network cards etc. have a Media Access Control address.

The two are not connected in any way.