BT Broadband Line Tags (UK)

I changed ISPs 4 years ago, it only took 10 minutes. Today my potentially next ISP will not recognise the transfer MAC code, and says BT rejected it, though BT supplied it to my current ISP in the first place! So I must have broadband removed from my line before I can apply to a new ISP; this will mean waiting up to 14 working days without broadband. Oftel says there is a new format for MAC codes, and not all ISPs are ready for this. If I was running a business through broadband, I'd be stuffed!

Thanks Elsonico , My mate is currently trying to run his midland based company with a dial up connection ! He's gone on hols for 2 weeks (probably to get away from the nightmare).I'm going to let him know all the info's I get here when he returns , and will eventually post how the situation resolves.Kris

We are in a similar position. Our AOL service is deliberately degraded from 6 pm to 10.30 pm every weekday, but AOL will not let us go elsewhere.

After 20 calls we eventually were emailled a MAC code, BUT when you read the small print we see that if we USE that MAC code we are automatically agreeing to sign up for a dial up contract with AOL at a monthly cost HIGHER than broadband! AND it is a 12 month contract so we have to pay a penalty if we cancel!

I am tempted to ask for a second phone line so that I can do the Broadband swops with an over lap. Then I always have a broadband supplier without paying all the penalty charges.

In my view the ISPs are running rings around the UK Regulator.

Hugh Mattos

Chartered Engineer

Morning Hugh. Your spot on , BT are operating a monopoly which even stuffs their own potential customers ! My mate has spent days doing the merry-go-round of phone calls.Re having a second line , if this comes down the same physical wire I suspect the problem may not go away. On one of the web sites I visited (can't remember address) a BT engineer gives a good explanation of the things that go on in an exchange.The sign up catch is the problem my mate is enraged about , and it will occur with all ISP's.You have to sell your soul before they tell you if they can deliver !I've considered all sorts (even using the data protection act - but the actual number is probably BT's 'property').The only person who I know of that manged to escape this , managed to get personal contact with the outgoing boss of the line-tag holding subsidiary who personally intervened.Ofcoms website will just give you an extra spin on the roundabout.Petitioning Number 10 probably wont work because their petitions page is collapsing (what else would we expect with the governments fingers in IT issues).I currently use cable , having long ago decide BT were b******s.My mates nearest significant town is Fort William (1 hours drive away 1).Kris

I recently had a problem with BT broadband - in short...

Moved house and broadband was transfered and worked fro 10 days then went off without warning one night.

Spent the next 1.5 weeks onto the various BT call centres around the world (none in England) trying to sort the problem. They basically read from the same script every single time even though I was adament that the problem was at their end not mine.

Got an engineer out to change all the lines around the house - that didn't work.

Was promised call backs which I never got.

In the end I got onto the manager at the call centre. I told him that it was not only affecting my social life but also my work as I do a bit of work from home, and told him I wanted my MAC code imediately, I wanted the line clear of tags that day, and if I did not get this I would be taking them to Ofcom. I was told that I could not get the MAC code there and then as there was a case still open from me complaining that it was not working. He did say though that he would be personally responsible for getting the problem sorted out.

Within about 6 hours of my phone call my broadband was up and working again. On a Sunday too! It turns out that there was a problem with the local exchange. Just what I had been saying all along.

The following page is from the Ofcom website and could prove useful to anyone in the future:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/internet/customer_service/mac/

My advice - hold firm with your complaints and don't back down and if you are phoning companies and are sick of automated messages do the following:

PRESS <0> <#> IN QUICK SUCCESSION

Alliance & Leicester 0870 9011001

American Express 01273 576576

Bank of Scotland 0845 7213141

Barclays 0845 7555555

BUPA 0845 6090111

Capital One 0800 9525150

Comet 0870 542 5425

Dell 0870 152 4699

DHL 0870 1100300

DVLA 0870 240009

Egg 0845 1233233

Goldfish 0141 2049005

Halifax 0845 7203040

HSBC 0845 7404404

Lloyds TSB 0800 0969779

NatWest 0870 3331993

NHS Direct 0845 4647

O2 0870 2410202

PC World 0870 2420444

Royal Mail 0845 7740740

Sainsbury's Bank 0845 3055888

Sky 0870 2404040

Tesco 0845 6040409

3Mobile 07782 333333

DON'T PRESS ANYTHING

Carphone Warehouse 0870 111 7400

Onetel 0800 957 0523

P&O 08705 212121

Southern Electric 0845 7444555

Southern Water 0845 2720845

Virgin Holidays 0870 220 2707

ENTER WRONG MOBILE No 3 TIMES

Orange 450 from Orange mobile

PRESS <*> <0> EACH TIME YOUHEAR AUTOMATEDVOICE

BT 0800 800 150

PRESS <0> THREE TIMES SLOWLY

T-Mobile 0845 412 5000

The pleasure is all mine,

Kev Brown

Glad to hear you're up and running . The BT logo of a Pixie blowing a trumpet at us all pretty much sums them up. Thanks for the menu escape listing . One day the arrogant sods will get the message

Have you not noticed that the Pixie blowing his own trumpet has been replaced by a world falling apart.

BT must have paid millions of our money for that really meaningful logo!

Hugh Mattos

Chartered engineer

Go to http://www.saynoto0870.com/ to find alternatives to the automated phone lines.

Hi Kris,

I got here by typing "Etherville UK" into Google Search, convinced that surely there is no such place listed, but experience tells me to check. "Pratt's Bottom" sounds like an unlikely sounding place name, but it's outside Sevenoaks in Kent. The 30 year rule is over on this one, but it was a well know joke in the Police Force, that if an "Ear at the Door" warrant was obtained from a Judge, "The Buggers from P's B" would be called in. I first discovered this back in 1971. I was doing research into all things acoustic during my gap year, at a firm in Tunbridge Wells, that suppled equipment to Pratt's Bottom. One fine morning, after I had been at the firm nearly a year, The Managed told me curtly to report to the Local Police Station.

Racing through my mind went all the possible Traffic Offences I might have committed, it was bound to be one of them, speeding or worse amber-gambling. When I arrived a charming Police Sergeant invited me up to the Mess for a cup of Coffee, and the days work began. He was curious to know if I had volunteered for the job? saying that I must have a pretty thick skin, "What do you mean?" to which he responded, "So you don't mind being known as the "B" from P's B? I was the new instructor! The Law required that I assemble the equipment, massive Ferrograph Tape Recorders, sign the tape itself with indelible & secret indelible ink, check that all documentation was in order, then dismantle the equipment for the Officer to reassemble...blah. The cruel hand of fate, thankfully never struck, I did not become the 'butt' of jokes. The matter was far too serious. The Historical Record required that our intended entrance into the European Common Market, monitor for Treason. The Police Authorities could be charged with the grave offence of Misprison of Treason.

Oh well.....That world falling apart, in my view is better than the fairy with the trumpet. This looks like an issue requiring legislation, but don't hold your breath.

hee hee.

I was in Scotland chatting to a young bloke with heavy Scots accent (who had just come to the mainland from Orkney , oo-er ). Turned out he was born in Tunbridge !

Being lazy , I came here through being nosey and seeing where you were before I sign out for the day . I forgot all about this thread (a bit remiss , having initiated it ).It's always interesting to see who's looking at what , and what is the 'topic of choice' for the day -Admins must have great fun when time allows.

For the record it's Royal TUNbridge Wells, and TONbridge the town nest door. Cheers.

Boo ! Goodnight

And a goodniht from dyslexic me. get into that 'nest' sweet dreams, I know a few good jokes on that theme. but Admin might not approve!