Changing from Bulldog/Pipex to Sky

[zuri]

I am trying to change internet provider from what was previously Bulldog (now provided by Pipex). I have both internet and telephone line provided by Pipex and therefore do not have a BT line, which seems to make it very difficult to change to another provider.

I am interested in changing to Sky Broadband and Skytalk telephone, but it appears that first I need a BT line. I have heard about something called return to donor to re-establish the BT line rental. What I am not sure about, is what then happens with the broadband connection when BT take over the telephone line, whether I will still have to request the MAC from Pipex and at what stage I contract the Sky service?

Does anybody know if the Pipex broadband will continue once BT takes over the line and whether I still require the MAC (or does MAC become irrelevant for an non BT line).

Also does anyone have experience of how much time I will be without broadband?

[chesham]

Well, in practice, you do have a BT line, as BT own the infrastructure. The only thing which BT do not provide is the line itself.

 

The physical switching of the line is simple - an engineer goes to the cabinet and tweaks a few things and boom - BT are now providing your line!

 

However, there will be a "tag" on your line which will prevent someone else from providing your broadband. So you will need a MAC code to switch internet providers. Contact Sky ASAP with your request and your MAC code, and they should deal with this for you.

 

Word of warning from me on a personal note - I tried to do this with Sky and they had no idea whatsoever on how to do it and ended up just cancelling the order for the phone line - the reason being they did not know how to do it! So I ended up with a fantastic lady from BT helping me (I moved into a new house, hence why I needed a BT line) and she did everything for me. I pay a bit more, but then I had to get the BT line working for broadband. Might just be me, but I have not found Sky to be helpful on the phone line side of things!!

[zuri]

Thank you.