Just got an email from my ISP, Tiscali saying the terms and conditions are changing from 1st May. One of the things mentioned is this:

3. BT is introducing a broadband cancellation charge to all broadband providers whose customers cancel without a MAC (Migrate Away Code). We have therefore amended our terms to include this charge for any cancellation where a MAC is not used. Please note however, Tiscali will always offer a MAC to any customer cancelling to go to another provider and therefore in the majority of cases we are pleased to say this charge can be avoided.

and this is the relevant claus from the T&Cs:

Cessation Charge

12.13 If you end your contract for Broadband Services with us and do not request and use a MAC, you agree to pay us a cessation fee of

thats rubbish, complain man !!!

So if you quit, and don't go to another provider then you have to pay...

That is tiscali passing a charge made by BT for ISP's who won't give out MAC to transfer. I would kick off, and if they don't move then I would move elsewhere.

Can they change your contract like that under you without your agreement?

Can they change your contract like that under you without your agreement?

That's what I'm wondering, its like the banks unfairly raising mortgage completion fees after you're already signed up.

I'm currently loathe to swap ISP because apart from 2 occasions when it wouldn't connect for a few hours, Tiscali has been trouble free. Speed isn't great but better the devil you know.

Now I may have to re-think my strategy. Comtemplating Orange for the free VOIP calls but heard bad things about them and its tied into an 18mth mobile contract although swmbo has not long renewed on Orange.

Daiking, I've had no trouble regarding Orange Broadband. Give it a go. I wouldn't pay a cancel fee, I'd just cancel the DD and tell them to go do one.

In the words of jay and bob, "f**k them, f**k them up their stupid a$$"

If any company tried pulling a stunt like that, I would be off quicker than quick to a different provider.

This may be of interest:

BBC NEWS | Technology | Broadband switching set to ease

Threaten them with Ofcom and see what they say

Well following this it looks likely I'll migrate to someone else, even though I was considering taking up Tiscali's line rental/phone/adsl deal. I don't know that I'll be here for 18months with a new ISP but the sooner I swap the better.

I don't like it when providers start playing silly games and hope you don't notice.

Well following this it looks likely I'll migrate to someone else, even though I was considering taking up Tiscali's line rental/phone/adsl deal. I don't know that I'll be here for 18months with a new ISP but the sooner I swap the better.

I don't like it when providers start playing silly games and hope you don't notice.

Zen internet cost a lot more, but have rock solid support, excellent reliability and good speed. That plus a 1 month minimum contract and it might be a plan if you are looking at moving.

Zen internet cost a lot more, but have rock solid support, excellent reliability and good speed. That plus a 1 month minimum contract and it might be a plan if you are looking at moving.

Not looking at moving but 18mths is a long time. Would certainly get our money's worth from free VOIP with Orange as swmbo currently has a

Reading the changes to T&C'd, as long as you request the MAC code then there is no fee for cancelling. I believe you can request a mac code without having an ISP to go to.

Also if its BT introducing this charge, then expect other ADSL providers to also change their T&C's to be exactly the same, indeed others may have already. The reason you found out about is that as a Tiscali customer they are notifying you.

Reading the changes to T&C'd, as long as you request the MAC code then there is no fee for cancelling. I believe you can request a mac code without having an ISP to go to.

Also if its BT introducing this charge, then expect other ADSL providers to also change their T&C's to be exactly the same, indeed others may have already. The reason you found out about is that as a Tiscali customer they are notifying you.

I read that as they charge you if you don't take a MAC and then use it... if you take it and don't use it you are still charged.

BT are charging an ISP when a tear down and put up with a new supplier is required because the old ISP refused to give a MAC.

This is unfortunately a problem where some ISPs have been refusing to give MACs to try and keep customers.

i've not heard anything from Tiscali regarding this charge , but as i'm generally happy with them and i still hear about problems getting MAC numbers , i won't be bothering to change

OK to clear a few things up.

First off Tiscali are a little off the mark MAC stands for Migration Authorisation Code. An ISP cannot or shouldnt, i say shouldnt refuse to provide you with a MAC. At the end of the day the line is yours (well rented from BT) they cannot hold you to randsom over the ADSL provider on your line, especially if you are out of contract.

The ofcom one is good, if you want to leave but not pay the charge then throw in the suggestion that you may have to take this to offcom. To my knowledge if a complaint is made to ofcom that they have to investigate a charge is automatically made against the ISP by them (or at least that is the way it used to be). Would they prefer to pay BT

When I left Tiscali they refused to give me a MAC. Really annoying as it meant I had to have broadband removed from my line and then put back on.

OK to clear a few things up.

First off Tiscali are a little off the mark MAC stands for Migration Authorisation Code. An ISP cannot or shouldnt, i say shouldnt refuse to provide you with a MAC...

I've previously had a MAC from tiscali but didn't use it so that shouldn't be a problem and up till now they've been a pretty good ISP to be fair to them. Although I just rememebered, when I got a MAC in March they told me a scare story about their type of MACs and LLU and stuff and how I might not be able to migrate to some ISPs. Other problems at the time meant I didn't use it but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

However if I were to move house tomorrow/next month/next year I doubt I would renew with tiscali and despite being a customer for over 18 months, having fulfilled the initial contract period they suddenly want to charge me

IIRC a MAC is only valid for 30 days after issue, although this may have changed.

IIRC a MAC is only valid for 30 days after issue, although this may have changed.

Correct, just like a PAC. Ah, the good ole days of using MNP2 or whatever it was called.

Zen internet cost a lot more, but have rock solid support, excellent reliability and good speed. That plus a 1 month minimum contract and it might be a plan if you are looking at moving.

Agreed Zen are 1st class though they are comparativley expensive.

Remember there is usualy no such thing as a free lunch.