O2 now charges £15 if you use your MAC code in the first 7 days?

[Undecided adrian]

I just asked for my MAC code from O2 as I am moving over to FTTC and o2 have no plans to offer it in the near future,

They did the hard sell stating that FTTC would not be much faster than my current speed of 20 meg.

I pointed out that my line speed is 9 meg and I can see my BT cabinet outside of the window, I was then offered another 3 months free if I signed up for another year contract and I said I just wanted my MAC code.

The MAC will be generated within 24 hours and emailed to me, which is fair enough, but I was told if I was to use the MAC code in the first 7 days I would be subject to a £15 admin charge for early use.

That is the first time I have ever been told that when getting a MAC code, is this allowed or are O2 trying it on to see how much extra money they can get?

Anyways I will happily sit on the MAC code until the 13th Dec then I shall be ordering my new broadband after that.

[NewsreadeR]

I would tell them where to go, I have never heard of that. Normally you would expect to give 30 days notice I guess though.

I am leaving them too next month, I am going back to Sky, although slightly slower speeds, the price difference does not justify staying, plus I can get the Anytime benefits for no extra.

[Undecided adrian]

MAC key has arrived, which is very prompt of them but in the blurb we have


Don't forget our seven day notice period. As long as you wait seven days from the date you told us you wanted to leave, we won't charge you.


Yup that is definately one to keep an eye on, I assume it is designed to discourage people rushing off and leaving given some time for people to think about it.

So be warned everybody.

[Saturday]

A seven day notice period sounds OK to me - don't most ISPs have a 30 day notice period?

[Undecided adrian]

I've never had to give a notice period before when using a MAC code before.

Anyways BT are giving me 3 months broadband free for coming back so I signed up with them so a saving there anyways and I get my unlimited call plan for £3 instead of £6 a month for having broadband with them.

Soon as the MAC code was used O2 have been sending tons of texts and emails wanted to speak to us and trying to get us to change our minds.

Anyways I go over on the 13 Dec.

[Saturday]

My mistake - I hadn't read the post properly and thought it was cancellations you were referring to.

Have to say I'm still a bit confused though. O2 charge what they call an "express termination fee" of £15 if you want an immediate cancellation with no fee payable (other than buying out the contract if still in contract) if you give them 7 days notice.

I'm pretty sure that has nothing to do with the MAC process transfer to another supplier though. Is there a chance you've misread the blurb they sent you? If not then that's very odd.

[Undecided adrian]

I'll find out when the O2 bill comes

On the phone they said that using the MAC in the first 7 days would incur the £15 charge.

Given how much I'll save with BT with the offer they gave me it's more than worth it.

[Steeley_96]

Unfortunately I have to wait unti May but I'll be going to Sky for the same reasons as Newsreader.