As anyone who has tried to switch broadband connections will tell you, it's not without it's problems, but new rules to force internet providers to make it easier could be announced before Christmas.

The industry regulator, Ofcom, has recently been looking into the problem of migration access codes (MACs) which allow customers to switch providers without any disconnection, after receiving a large number of complaints on the process.
At the root of the problem is the fact that MAC codes are only covered by a voluntary code of practice but Ofcom said that it is prioritising the issue of forcing ISP's to provide codes to customers.

The problem has been bought to light recently by several high profile cases involving network provider NetServices who refused to offer MAC codes to customers of bankrupt vISPs E7even and Gio Internet when the went under who wished to move to a different ISP. Recently NetServices cust off Fast24 and V21/Biscit customers only giving them the possibility to migrating to an ISP of their choice.

Ofcom said it hoped to release a statement before Christmas on it's plan of events which should hopefully mean customers will have an automatic right to choose to migrate to an ISP of their choice.