New rules from Ofcom

The internet service provider regulator Ofcom has recently drawn up some new rules that ISP companies shall have to follow. The new rules are based around how ISPs give a small code which allows you to switch to another ISP, this code is called the Migration Authorisation Codes (Mac). Ofcom stated that the new rules will make it easier for people to switch from one ISP to another. At current a ISP does not have to give out this code and many are refusing, thus trapping customers into there service. Broadband is ever more becoming standard in British homes, and it is expected that up to 80% of the population of internet users use Broadband, and with the increasing amount of people connecting via broadband the number of complaints of how easy it is to switch is growing and is something Ofcom have had to address quickly before the number gets out of hand. The want to switch Ofcomcan be quoted to say that 83% of the people who had moved from one broadband company to another had no problem, however 17% is a large number of people who did have issues and it that which Ofcom are looking into. The issues are coming about with the release of many cheap internet service providers that users are trying to jump apon, and then finding they can not get a MAC, and thus can not transfer to another ISP. Cost comparison website USwitch has stated that up to 234,000 try to move who they get there broadband from every month. The new rules state that all ISPs from 14 February 2007 broadband will have to give a MAC code to anyone who requests it, and they will not be able to accept any money, or request any money for it, meaning everyone will be able to switch ISP quickly and without to much effort.