Ofcom have set up a code of practice that aims to protect the consumer and allow you to switch broadband provider.

As the broadband market grows and more consumers take up broadband services, customers may wish to switch broadband providers to take advantage of new and innovative services or cheaper broadband offers.

The ofcom code of practice is a voluntary code which has been developed by an industry group of broadband service providers. The code aims to secure agreement between broadband providers to facilitate fairly the so-called 'migration' of broadband customers from one broadband provider to another.

About the Migration Process A migration authorisation code ("MAC") can be obtained by customers from their existing broadband provider they will give this number to the new broadband provider they have chosen. You should follow these steps:

a) first contact your existing broadband provider and request a MAC. Your broadband provider will send the MAC number within 5 working days. The MAC is valid for a period of 30 days from the date that it is issued.

b) you must then present the MAC to your new broadband provider. The new broadband provider will then process the request and inform the customer of the transfer date.

You have rights and obligations under the terms of the code:

Your existing broadband provider cannot unreasonably refuse to issue a MAC authorisation code and may only refuse a code if: a) you are not the broadband account holder b) your broadband contract and broadband service has already ceased

Your existing broadband provider cannot withhold a MAC authorisation code due to any payment or contractual issues. Please note that that if you have signed a 12 month contract with a broadband provider you will have to honour the remaining term of your contract or pay early cancellation fees, if applicable.

Not all broadband providers are covered by the code, you need to ask you provider if they are as the code is only relevant to broadband providers which are delivered by certain types of BT access lines. For example it is not relevant to services delivered via cable, such as by ntl or Telewest.

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Find out more about switching UK broadband providers athttp://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk.