How can you prove...

Spearmint

...who is supplying you with broadband :huh:

notbritishgas

Most of the speed test sites state what your provider is .
For example if you go to speedtest.net it is on the first page, you do not even have to carry out the speed test.

mrJ_5

not always though - if your ISP is using them as a supplier, then its possible that they will be identified instead of the ISP

not easy to prove i guess, but if you know your username on the router - then you may be able to tell who your supplier is

Spearmint

Hhhmmm most of my initial post isn't there

We changed ISP last month, got MAC fine all transfered fine but got a bill for this month from old ISP!
After speaking to them, they say they have still been supplying us and that we haven't changed companies and have to pay the bill!!!

We know the new company are supplying us as the old ISP details put into the router do not work, have sent them screenshots of our first bill with new ISP and also the email and test message from the new ISP to say that we've been switched over but the old ISP are saying that this isn't proof???

kwikbreaks

The real thing to ask yourself is did you follow their T&C regarding giving notice of termination. Requesting a MAC doesn't terminate your contract and come to that using one doesn't either - you need to inform them you are going (maybe writing, maybe email, or maybe phone is good enough - it's down to what they'll accept) then after that it always pays to confirm to them that the move has happened as although BT are supposed to notify them it doesn't always happen.

Regarding which ISP you are with - your IP address will confirm that and is what the speedtesters use to identify the ISP but as I already said it is irrelevant to whether or not you'll have to pay.

Spearmint

The required notice was given, we know who are supplying us but they are saying that unless we can prove they aren't then we have to pay ????
If we can prove they haven't been and aren't now supplying us then they've said we wouldn't owe them anything but i don't know how we can prove they aren't and i don't understand how they think they are ???

We have never ever had this problem when we've changed companies before!

kwikbreaks

Well if your router login is specifying some other id than the one you had with them it should be proof enough. http://www.whatismyip.com/ will show your IP address and the ARIN database may show who owns the block which it is in - https://ws.arin.net/whois/

In any event if you gave them the required notice period that's that. I think you have encountered a numpty so ask to speak to their manager. It isn't up to you to prove anything - they are the ones asking for cash and they don't have any contract from what you've said so you should be able to tell them to take a hike and if they persist that you will be making a charge to handle their queries.

espresso

Spearmint wrote: »

The required notice was given, we know who are supplying us but they are saying that unless we can prove they aren't then we have to pay ????

Please name and shame this ISP.

Scho

MAC stands for "Migration Authorisation Code" so how can requesting it not be giving them notice you are leaving? Also, when you have submitted it to your new BB supplier they swap you over and cut you off from the old one at the same time. Although checking the T&Cs is always a good idea here!

Spearmint - were you at the end of your contract or are they charging you a termination fee maybe? or are they charging for the month inclusive of when you got swapped? Ie If you swap mid-payment month then they will still charge you for the full month, or are they trying to blag another extra month out of you?

I'd agree with kwikbreaks, probably got a numpty! Ignore them and if they contact you again ask them to confirm the IP address you have on their network. That'll stuff em up.

Which ISP is the problem child too?

mrJ_5

Even if you went onto speedtester or go to the "what's my ip" website - who's to say that you didn't use an internet connection in another house or in an office? Perhaps you should challenge them to prove that they are the ones who are supplying you...

mrJ_5

Scho wrote: »

MAC stands for "Migration Authorisation Code" so how can requesting it not be giving them notice you are leaving?

In a way, yes, but you don't have to use it - since after 30 days the MAC becomes invalid if it hasn't been used.

Scho wrote: »

Also, when you have submitted it to your new BB supplier they swap you over and cut you off from the old one at the same time. Although checking the T&Cs is always a good idea here!

Also a good idea to contact the old ISP and tell them that you have successfully moved to your new ISP and check that your account is fully closed.