Thought I'd have seen this issue on this forum already, so let's open another tiscali can of worms. This post could equally go under the name and shame thread about MACs too, as tiscali is surpassing their already dire criminal record...

Basically on Jan 16th or earlier, a dispute between tiscali and 186k came to a head, and tiscali effectively disconnected a number of 186k customers. Although these customers had a broadband connection, all that appeared in the browser was a holding page from tiscali with notification of the disconnection. tiscali gave three options to migrate to - all tiscali companies. A phone number and two email addresses were provided to request a MAC.

I have been with EFH as part of 186k - ok, mea culpa, but now I've learned. I'm most definitely not staying with them, if service should be resumed, nor will I move to tiscali.

On 17th Jan once I discovered the disconnection and tiscali's instructions, I contacted them for my MAC. I have yet to receive any reply, confirmation - or MAC, needless to say. And of course, the 5 days stipulated have passed.

186k are offering to move people to Firenet, another company under their dubious banner. Whether this actually happens as a short-term solution in my case, remains to be seen.

Reading the posts on various blogs and threads about this is highly confusing, and anyone affected like myself is growing increasingly infuriated, and appear to be facing a period without broadband...

A lucky few are reporting they have received a MAC. Others have been issued invalid MACs - no surprise: this is tiscali, after all. A lot like me have had no reply and have no idea of when a MAC will be received - or if one will even be issued. Apparently, no matter when - or if - tiscali issues a MAC to these customers, the current shut off of service is 12th Feb, and not 30 days from issuance.

Other blogs/threads have given the tiscali ceo as Mary Turner (mary.turner @ uk.tiscali. com) and the ceo of tiscali customer complaints as Quinn Mackenzie (quinn.mackenzie @ uk.tiscali. com) [close the spaces], and the head office number in London as 0207 087 2000, and a high level complaints number as 01483 363490. Better than dealing with someone in India who cannot understand English, never mind reply with any comprehension. Worth a try if anyone like myself is in the same boat - up the creek without a paddle, that is.

So, if you can stop guffawing at another poor sucker ripped a new one by tiscali, I'd be grateful for any suggestions.