For millions of broadband users who may be tempted by a better deal from another provider, the fear has always been that of being stuck in an internet-less limbo? waiting until their new service is switched on.

Thankfully, changes to the way switches take place have dramatically improved the situation.

On 14 February 2007, Ofcom introduced a code of conduct for moving between broadband service providers called the MAC Code of Conduct.

If they wish to switch, broadband customers need a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC). The Migration Authorisation Code is a 17 to 19-digit unique identifier code consisting of both letters and numbers.

MACs usually begin with "BBIP", "FTIP", "BBDS", or "BBDP", and consist of 4 letters, 7 numbers (sometimes up to 9), a forward slash, 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 1 final letter.

Once requested, your internet provider should provide you the MAC code within 5 working days. This code will then be valid for 30 days in which the customer may switch broadband providers. While it should not take any longer than 10 working days to switch your broadband, there is no set limit imposed on broadband providers to switch you to a new provider and it can take up to 5 weeks.

Your internet service provider cannot refuse your request for a MAC code and must not charge you for the code either. This was introduced to help ease the process of switching your broadband and also allowing the switch to be done in just a few hours resulting in a temporary loss of internet.

The only exceptions for refusal are as follows:

?The account holder does not comply with standard checks by the ISP
?A contract is already terminated
?The MAC has already been requested
??The ISP has already submitted a cease request
?The ISP is unable to obtain a MAC from ISP whom customer is switching to

These rules were set by Ofcom, although, some broadband providers have been known to bend the rules just a little.

This has led some questions about whether some broadband service providers try and make it as difficult as possible for you to switch.

Even though broadband providers must comply with the rules, most providers will try to convince you to stay. They may question you about who you wish to move to and your reasons why and single out comparisons between themselves and their competitor in an attempt to hold on to you as a customer.

In some cases they may offer you something in return for your loyalty as a customer, for example a free upgrade to a higher level of service.

From your perspective, if you are satisfied with the level of service on offer from your existing provider, it always makes sense to listen to any offers that are made.

However, if you are determined to switch, you should so ?and the new MAC system should make it a lot easier to do so.

If you are interested in taking advantage of current broadband internet technology then you should compare many broadband providers available in your area.

Apple iPhone

Amidst the varied 21st century inventions, Apple iPhone is the latest hi-tech revolution that has marked a new uprising in the telecom industry. Apple iPhone is an avant-garde mobile phone that makes a call simply by pattering the name or the number in your address book, or a favorite list. It also let you to select and snoop to voicemail messages in the preferred order.

Designed and marked by Apple, the hi-tech gizmo is a complete package, which incorporates the facility of internet, camera phone, portable media player, text messaging and visual voice mail. In addition, Apple iPhone also confers all the major internet related facility, which includes email, web browsing, local Wi-FI connectivity.

Under the other distinguised facilities of Apple iPhone conferencing, call holding, call merging and integration with other cellular network features are the major ones. The iPhone also incorporates a Visual voicemail feature that allows the users to view the current list of on-screen voicemail messages without calling into their voicemail messages.

Unlike the other systems, on Apple iPhone the messages can be looked into by opting the message from the list. Various other companies have modulated their voice mail features to incorporate the unique fearure of Apple iPhone. So far, AT&T, O2, T-Mobile and Orange have stood up in the race. Equipped with the international standards the quad-band phone adapts the GSM standards and the Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) data technology.

Apple iPhone is on the process of doing similar business and growth, which Apple's ipod has done over the past years. Seeking the stupendous success of ipod globally, Apple launched this new hi-tech invention lately in January 2007. The launcing pad was first casted in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany and France in November 2007. It was also tagged as the invention of the year by the most prestigious Times Magazine It is expected that the new upgraded version of iPhone, which works faster on 3G cellular network will be introduced in the coming year. One of the ultimate electronic gadgets, iPhone has coveted the huge share across the market by churning out big profits. Initially, the cost was set at $400-$500 USD that was later slashed down on the various complains about its high pricing. At present, Apple is offering a handsome margin of about 50% on its value added phones incorporated with multiple features. Apple has recently declared the new price schemes on its brandishing iPhones. According to the market analysis, a total of $200 to $300 has been deducted from the authentic market prices. Seeking the wonderful opportunity, people in large sums are buying the iPhones, which has increased the profits of this flourishing item about scores.

While, Apple iPhones are the also latest invention around the globe, people are more alluring to get it in pockets soon. Apple iPhone, mark the beginning of a new facet, with the new handy Internet enabled pocket player, which saves from the unnecessary stress and mark the building of a thriving telecom business.

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As the popularity of broadband has soared, so has the desire for faster download speeds, with consumer expectations ever increasing.

Although the speed of your connection is limited by your chosen broadband package and the distance from your home to your local telephone exchange, there are a number of measures you can take if you feel your broadband is underperforming.

Firstly, if it is simply your connections browsing speed you are unhappy with, then chances are you would see the benefit of using an alternative browser. If for instance, you are using Microsoft's default IE, then consider switching to Mozilla's Firefox.

Along the same lines, nearly all of the major browsers have settings that can be altered, which should help to speed up page loading times.

Background applications can have a dramatic effect on your connections speed. Such applications you may only use once, but from then on in open every time you start up your computer, adding to your bandwidth overhead. Not only do such applications slow down your connection, but they are likely to add to your monthly usage.

As well as keeping out unwanted traffic, firewalls are an excellent way to monitor which applications are using your connection. It's important to note though, that an improperly configured firewall can actually add to your download delays.

Moving away from the software side of things and onto the more physical aspects of your connection and you will find there are a few things you can do here that should make a positive difference.

To begin with simply reducing the distance between your main socket (where the broadband enters your home) and your broadband router can dramatically increase your connection's speed, with increases of up to 3Mbps possible.

Although a more costly option, upgrading your router may prove useful, especially if you are currently using out of date hardware, which may be faulty.

If you connect to the internet through a wireless connection, then the closer you are to the router the better. If there is no way to get closer then purchasing a larger antenna will boost the signal's strength.

If all else fails then it may be worth calling your broadband provider, to see if there is anything they can do to help speed things up. Performing a broadband speed test is an excellent way of discovering your actual connection speed, and if this differs highly from what your ISP states, then it may be time to switch to a different broadband provider.