How to transfer a phone number from T-Mobile to Orange
October 30th, 2012
How to transfer your existing mobile number to another network: a step-by-step guide to PAC Codes.
PAC Code Finder
Our "PAC Code Finder" takes you through the process of transferring your number between networks one step at a time.
Select your current network provider and the network that you wish to move to:
How to transfer a phone number from T-Mobile to Orange
Step 1: Obtain a PAC Code from T-Mobile
The first step is to obtain a PAC Code (Porting Authorisation Code) from T-Mobile. You can do this by calling T-Mobile customer services on 150 from your T-Mobile phone (or 0845 412 5000 from a landline).
- A PAC Code is normally 9 digits long and follows the format ABC 123 123.
- T-Mobile must provide you with a PAC code within 2 hours of your request (or a reason for why one cannot be issued).
- T-Mobile will normally issue your PAC Code immediately on the phone or via text message.
- You are legally entitled to your PAC code according to Ofcom's "General Conditions of Entitlement" (May 2011) Condition 18.
- Your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. If you do not use it within 30 days, it will expire.
Step 2: Order your new phone/SIM from Orange
You should now order your new phone/SIM card through the Orange website. Select the type of tariff you intend to move to:
For a full list of available tariffs, see the Orange website.
Orange will assign you with a temporary phone number for use during the transition process. You can use this phone number whilst your wait for your existing phone number to be transferred over.
Step 3: Using your PAC Code
Once you have recieved your new phone/SIM card from Orange, you should call Orange customer services on 150 for Pay Monthly or 450 for Pay As You Go from your mobile (from a landline: call 07973 100 150 for Pay Monthly or 07973 100 450 for Pay As You Go). Give Orange your PAC Code; they will handle the process of transferring your phone number.
- Your phone number will be transferred from T-Mobile to Orange on the next working day.
- You should transfer any text messages or contacts you wish to keep.
- You cannot transfer Pay As You Go credit from T-Mobile to Orange.
More information? See the instructions on the Orange website.
If you have any further questions about PAC Codes, consult the list of Frequently Asked Questions or drop us a comment.
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About Ken
I'm a freelance writer specialising in mobile technology. I've been blogging at Ken's Tech Tips since 2005 with the aim of demystifying mobile technology for the rest of us.
Before writing about mobile technology, my background was in space & atmospheric physics. I have also worked in software development. Nowadays, I help companies to explain mobile technology to their customers. Please check out my portfolio or get in touch for more information. I'm also on Google+.
Hi Ken,
I want to terminate my Vodafone monthly contract(approx. 9 months left to run) and switch to 3 network because they can offer me a good deal on iphone 4s.Is this as simple as it sounds?I know I will have to pay the outstanding monthly rental for the contract.Will they allow me to terminate this contract and also provide me with my PAC number?
Hi Bill,
There’s no problem with cancelling your Vodafone contract early, though as you said you’ll need to pay the early termination fee. As you’re a Vodafone customer, this would be approximately 81.7% of your remaining monthly payments. If you’re currently on a £30/month contract, the termination fee would be approximately £220. Take a look at my guide to early termination fees, otherwise once you’ve cancelled you can use a PAC Code as discussed on this page.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi Ken,
I recently opted to switch from a T-Mobile PAYG to a T-Mobile Monthly contract mobile. I wanted the new (free) phone, but to retain my existing PAYG number. Whilst making the switch online, there didn’t appear to be any option for this so I just took it as read that it would be transferred. When the new phone arrived, it included a new SIM card and I was dismayed to discover that the new contract had been drawn up for the new number. Thus, I now have a PAYG phone with the number I DO want, and a £30 per month contract for a number I DON’T want !
I imagined it would be a relatively simple matter to put this right but upon ringing T-Mobile (not easy to speak to anyone after navigating your way through their phone menu system !) I was further dismayed when they told me the way round this was for me to temporarily switch to another network and then move back to T-Mobile again. Even if I do this and transfer my existing number back to T-Mobile, I still don’t understand how they will then associate my existing number to the new contract. That is to say, if they can do it after I migrate and then return, why can’t they do it now ?
If, after I return, they draw up a new contract, how can I be sure they will cancel the existing one ? Again, I don’t understand how they can do it after a migration, but not now. Will you please clarify this for me as I’m awfully confused !
Many thanks.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for your comment. It’s a shame that T-Mobile can’t move your number from Pay As You Go directly to Contract – I don’t understand this policy at all. One of my friends had the same experience on Orange (now part of EE & in the same company as T-Mobile). He persevered and eventually Customer Services were able to do it. If T-Mobile aren’t able to do this for you, then porting out to another network and back to T-Mobile will certainly work. The easiest way to do this is to grab a free SIM card from another network (e.g. O2) then follow the instructions as above.
When you take out a new contract, it’s normal practice to be assigned a new phone number. When you use the PAC Code, your temporary phone number is removed and your existing phone number is associated with that new contract. You certainly won’t need another new contract and your existing contract won’t need to be cancelled. The reason why temporary phone numbers are assigned is because many people receive their phones by post, etc. Due to the possibility of shipping delays, it’s unacceptable for the old phone number to be associated with the new contract/SIM immediately. Hence customers are asked to use their PAC Code only once they’ve received their new device/SIM. Only once the PAC Code is used will your phone number be transferred.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi Ken, thanks for the comprehensive guide. But I still have one little question. Why is that I have to call my network operator to obtain this PAC number? Why isn’t it an automatic process where I come to a different operator’s branch, get a new SIM, and they transfer my number from my previous network. Are there operators in the UK who would provide such customer experience? I know there are in Europe. Thank you.
Hi Alex,
Thanks a lot for your comment. The UK is fairly unique in having a donor-led PAC Code system (you need to call your existing network before you can switch). As you said, most other countries have a recipient-led system where your new operator can arrange everything for you. Whilst OFCOM (the UK’s telecoms regulator) has considered moving to the recipient-led system, I think the current system has been kept for several reasons (e.g. unscrupulous companies/operators can’t transfer customers over without their permission). I’m not really sure which system is “best” but I feel the “PAC Code” system works fairly well. Perhaps someone with experience of the system in Europe would have a different opinion?
There’s more info on the donor-led vs recipient-led systems on the OFCOM website.
Cheers,
Ken
Thanks Ken, it makes a bit more sense now.
There is nothing on this site that tells me how I can easily get a PAC and transfer my mobile number from my British Telecommunications (BT) mobile phone contract. This is a very large company. Why is it not covered on this site?
Thanks for the information. The Orange/EE website gave the wrong phone number for for pay-as-you-go PAC codes. The number you have listed is the correct one. How's that for having better customer Service than Orange.
my contract with orange ends in 5 days, i have asked for my pac code but have been told they need 30 days notice so i will have to stay for another month is this right
Hi Phil,
You shouldn't need to give them notice of 30 days – Ofcom's most recent legislation means that PAC Codes must be issued immediately on the phone, or within 2 hours via SMS.
Ken
hello, I have just switched network, to 3, I have successfully used my pac code, but have since found the signal for 3 in my area is very bad. I am withing my 7 day cooling off period, and have arranged with the broker I used to return the phone, with no problem. does the fact I have moved my number to 3 already,change my cancellation rights in any way, on the 3 network??
Hi I have a dilemma
I have cancelled my 02 contract and have my PAC code. However I don't want to use it yet and want to wait another couple of months for a newer phone.
I know my PAC only lasts for 30 days but can I still request another one in a 3-4 months time for the same number?
Hi Pierina,
You can request a PAC code but your contract will need to be still active to do so. If you've switched to Pay As You Go, this would also be fine. If you've lost your line completely, the phone number may have been returned to the phone network. In this case, you won't be able to get a PAC Code.
Ken
Hi Ken, my husband is getting an iPhone on a contract with orange and wants to port his number, and as his contract with tesco has another 9 months to run I'm going to use his phone and want to port my virgin number, I am not tied into a contract, my question is which number do we transfer first to avoid problems?
Very helpful article and tool. I greatly appreciate you writing and making it
I've had tons of trouble with Orange so have gone for an Orange contract through Phones4u instead of direct – but now orange are not allowing me to keep my number when my contract ends. Is there anything I can do?
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added”
checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same
comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Bless you!
Hi Ian,
Thank you for the e-mail – I hope you will accept my apologies for the unwanted e-mail notifications/spam – this is not my intention! All comment notifications are sent by our partner, IntenseDebate. The best way to remove yourself from the service is to click on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the notification e-mail (unfortunately, they won't let me do this for you!). Let me know if you have any problems with this.
So that you don't receive too many e-mails in the future, my recommendation is only to subscribe to replies to your comment.
Sorry again!
Ken
I have two accounts with three network. My one is due to end next month and another one is until the end of this year. I want to cancel the first account and transfer my existing number (which I had for 7 years) to another account however I have just been told that I can’t transfer numbers within the same network. Why is that? I have been loyal customer, brought more customers to three and still stayin with them. Why can I not keep the number with Theee however different account? Please advise
I have two contract one with o2 and other with three, I would like to swap the number. Is this possible or do i need to stop the contract. I want both the contracts rolling.
one (three) contracts started in dec 2012 and other (o2) ends in Dec 2013, Please help.
Many thanks in Advance
I wan to transfer my current number which is with T Mobile to a new T Mobile sim only contract, which I have already received the Sim card. I contacted the customers service department to ask to transfer my number over, so i can close the other contract and was told they cannot give it to me, unless I joined another network for 24 hours eg, Orange, then cancelled with them and got them to give me a PAC code.
Is this actually legal??? and can someone tell me if they have had problems like this. I am so frustrated and feel like leaving all together, but i have signed up for a new Sim only contract for 1 year, and would default on it.
Actually, this morning when I tried to request a pac code from orange after the number ported across yesterday they told me I would have to stay with them as a customer for at least 7 – 10 days.
Hi Kartik,
There should be no need to send back your SIM Card before receiving a PAC Code – simply give T-Mobile a call and you can dispose of the SIM yourself after your number has been transferred over.
Ken
I have a sim-only contract with T-Mobile. When I called them to ask for the PAC number, they said I need to "send-in the sim card" before they will issue me with a PAC? I thought they were legally required to send me the PAC number if I asked for it? (I want to change to another carrier's sim-only contract). Thanks
I was with orange I have now left orange and have now got a new phone on 24 month contract with dialphone but the net work is still with orange I have been told by Orange that I can't transfer my old mobile number over is this correct ?
J
I had a pack code from O2.. Purchased a new phone from Orange //phoned to give them the Pac code. it has been a week of constant phonecalls saying within 24 -48 hours it willbe sorted. I have no service apparently my temporary number has not been activated. SO a weel later and still no joy. How long should it take is it better to forget the pac code and ask for a new sim and start again
Hi Ken
I want to change from Orange to Virgin Mobile as they have much better deals and I believe despite being a loyal customer Orange have let me down on more than one occasions. I called today to ask for the PAC code and they said that as soon as they issue one my SIM card is disabled (that is customer service from Orange for you). I am utterly disgusted with their approach and crap plans so would like to know what are my consumer rights in the UK as Orange will terminate the SIM only service as soon as I am issued with the PAC code rather than when Virgin Media take over.
Cheers
Calista
hello sir
im so happy as u help online. actully recently me and my fiance got 2 deffrent phone contracts for 24months. but we want swap our numbers with eachother.. i called to 3 but they said they can't do because both are on 3. must be one from another network provider. i thought i get another pay as u go sim card,then convert my number on that then on another sim card. plz u tell me SIR what will be nice idea,i got loadz experince..i really glad of yor help sir….
your thankfully
B SINGH
Hi,
I'm on a 30-day rolling contract with Orange and I would like to switch to Pay as You Go with Three. Is it possible? The point is I have to give a notice of 30 days. What shall I do?
Thank you,
Andrea
Can I port my number to another network without ending my contract? Is it possile to be issued a new number for m existing contract with Orange?
I'm a business owner and a new employee wants to keep his number so we want to transfer his number to an O2 business contract sim. He wants to put his existing sim in his wife's phone as her contract is ending and then we'll put a business sim in his phone, but obviously they both want to keep their numbers. O2 are telling me that's not possible as when they issue the business sim it will have a permanent number, so by definition we won't be able to port his number to the new sim. This doesn't make business sense at all as this employee has been using his own phone in the meantime so customers already know his number.
What if you don't order your phone direct from three, for example, using buymobilephones.net?
Will Three still assign me with a temporary phone number?
Hi Nathan,
Yep – it'll be exactly the same if you purchase a Three handset through another retailer such as the Carphone Warehouse, Phones4u, etc.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi,
If I change from one provider to another (voda>> O2), why is it that the remaining credit (PAYG) will not be transferred over the network?
Regards,
Sattam
Hi Sattam,
The reason for this is simply because Vodafone and O2 are different companies: since you've paid your money to Vodafone so there is no reason why O2 should honour that airtime credit. Unfortunately there isn't a mechanism whereby airtime credit can be transferred between companies: instead you'll have to use it up before switching network.
Ken
Hi there
I'm trying to change or swap my old 1month rolling contract number with 3 to my new iphone 5 contract on 3 but they are saying they don't do internal number changes,
is this the truth or are they using it as an excuse to keep paying them to keep my old number alive which they say i'll lose if i cancel my old contract
ive never had problems porting numbers before but you'd think an internal swap or transfer would be simple stuff to them
cheers
If you were told this by the three store then no suprise there as the stores are a franchise and are only interested in contract sales try calling customer services. Ive recently left 3 (Long story, short version ive recieved poor customer service) and got my PAC code from them and transfered my number noproblems to Virgin.
Unfortunately because you already have a new account you cant use the threat of leaving to help get what you want.
Hi Ken.
If I pay the charge for Vodafone to change my number, will they then give me the pac code for the number I'm changing from?
I'm doing this as I wanted to change my network to 3, but I cant afford to just buy out my Vodafone contract as there is something like 7 months left on it.
Thanks.
Hi Pete,
As far as I'm aware, there isn't really any alternative to buying out your Vodafone contract (though you might be able to ask them to switch your existing contract onto a different number and then to release this number to Three). There shouldn't be any charge for the PAC Code itself. Apologies – I guess this probably isn't the answer you were looking for.
Ken
Thanks to this website i was able to persevere and will hopefully get my PAC code in 2 hours time…so here’s hoping! Didn’t know it was illegal for companies to withhold a PAC, 1st time I called 3 I was told I can’t have it until I bought a new contract with whatever company!!!
i have Pay monthly sim with three, & Wife bought me a new phone for my birthday htc 0ne X on contract with 3, phone arrives but it doesnt open to insert old sim . I phone to tell them i want to keep my old number & im told. I cant …. then i can, if i take my old number to another network, then take it back to 3 (Ludicrous & yes 3 did tell me that)…. then they can do it after all, but it will take 30 days, as i will have to give 30 days notice to contract pay monthly sim. After much rage, i go for the 30 day notice version, even though that involves walking around like a drug dealer, with my 2 phones for a month…….Guess what happened after 30 days, yes correct F#@K all. Still have the 2 phones , 2 bills & 2 Fkn angry with 3, any one know how to sort this as apparently i cant cancel new phone. Just want to keep my old number for business, with the features of the latest android technology……shouldnt be that difficult you would think.
Fantastic! Thank you very much x
Would I lose the credit on my orange phone??
Hi Kimberley,
As far as I know, you shouldn't lose the credit on your Orange account. However, it might be worth checking with Orange Customer Services just to be sure!
Ken
If I top up the phone that I’m moving to will I lose the credit??? I’m moving from tesco to orange
Hi Kimberley,
You will lose the credit on your Tesco SIM when you transfer your phone number over to Orange. For this reason, I recommend using it up before moving!
Hope this helps,
Ken
I have an orange contract which expires at the end of august. Work will buy me a new phone with a new contract and possibly a new provider in september but there will be a short period between ending one contract and starting another. I want to keep my number, what is the best way to do this?
Hey Vodafone have canncled my contract without me knowing so I want to change to O2burnt phone says sim not provisionalised? Can I still get a PAC code from Vodafone
Hi.
I’m hoping you may know the answer to my dillema. I feel stranded.
I was/am on three mobile, I checked their website to make sure I could make calls abroad ( I’m in Argentina for 6months) website said I could so brought my sim along with me here. I got here and no signal at all.emailed three and they confirmed they have no agrement in place here even though website says different.lucky I had a spare Lebara sim with me which does work.got my PAC code for Three gave it to Lebara a couple of days ago. Two questions really; 1 does my Three mobile need to be in a phone for the transfer to take place? 2 Is it going to cause a problem the fact that I am out of the Uk whilst the transfer is taking place. Personally I don’t think either is going to cause any issues but I’m no expert. Thanks
Hi Devan,
Thanks for the comment! Unfortunately I don't know the answer to your precise question – but when a PAC Code is issued, it is usually recommended that you turn off/reboot your phone. For this reason, I suspect it should make no difference whether you are in the UK or abroad when your number is transferred.
Hope this helps,
Ken
I was with orange network for number of years at least 6 years, last year i decided to move to 3 network as they have a good offer then, Orange has given me my PAC not by request but beacause i was cancelling my contract as i was at the end of it. Orange has sent me my PAC through the post but I decided to have a new number so i did not use my PAC but I was clear that I was cancelling my contract then they even sent me a letter acknowledging that i was leaving and all, but beacause I dont monitor my account, I only realise after a year that they are still charging me. I have spoken to them yet they said they could not do anything about it but to only cancel that contract…..HELP is ther a way to have my money back?
Hi,
I am transferring from o2 pay as you go to 3pay monthly, I have had my pac code and given this to 3. I was told the transfer would be done on Tuesday, so I checked my old phone and there was no signal, later my partner called my old number to check that it had been transferred and someone else answered my number! The number has been transferred to another 3 sim! I have then called 3 and asked them for my transfer straight away, but they have told me that they have to get more information for o2 and I have to wait another 72 hours! Am I within my rights to speak to their supervisor and get this done today??? Any help would be much appreciated
Hi, I've made a pretty amateur mistake with my phones.
My old one on 3 has a standard size sim in it, and my new one with t mobile has a micro sim.
Without even checking this I actives my PAC code from 3 and my number has now been changed over.
So what can I now do?
Hi Nikkii,
This should be possible – yep! However if you speak to Vodafone Customer Services and ask them to escalate the issue, I would have thought they could do this for you more easily?
Ken
Hi
Not sure if it's been asked previously! I have taken out a new contract with vodafone and have an existing contract with them also! I would like to take my old number with me but vodafone will not do that! Can I port the number to a payg sim on another network and then port it back to Vodafone? I really don't want to lose the number! Please help?
It seems the advice for Three to Three transfers is wrong.
I was told you CANT transfer a number between Three SIMs and I should put my old SIM in my new phone. When I told them I couldn't (new phone takes microSIMs only), I was told I'd have to pay £5 for them to send me a new SIM with the old number and would loose all the credit on my new phone …… lol
Guess I'll transfer the old number to another network and back again … or maybe just keep it there
* sorry i ment, its not possible to transfer numbers from contract to contract on the same network only from a different network.
Hi, i have been three customer for 8 years and have recently taken a separate offer online offer online via online. I wanted to cancel my existing 30 day rolling contract with three and transfer my old number to the new contract. However three have told me its not possible numbers via three-to-three ie cross network, only network-to-network and have instead tried to enticed me to keep my existing line. I am pretty sure its possible but i am rather confused now. Can someone please help me, thanks.
Hi
Can i use my new mobile and number then change over to my old number using my PAK code week or so later so I can use my credit i still have on my phone or do I need to phone them up now to sort out before new phone gets used
thanks
Hi Frances,
You should be able to use up the credit first before using the PAC Code if you like – there is no need to do it straight away!
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hello there this was really helpful. Thank You. If im switching from pay as you go to pay monthly how long does it take? And shall i use my old or new number during the process?
Hi Eniko,
The process of moving numbers between mobile networks takes 24 hours, regardless of whether it's between two Pay Monthly accounts of if you're going from PAYG to Pay Monthly. During those 24 hours, you can continue to use your old number on your current PAYG network or alternatively you could use the temporarily assigned number on the Pay Monthly network.
Hope this helps!
Ken
y have orange took 3 months to send a PAC code and r charging £20.42 for it. And wen requested again from a phone call from a orange store they r taking 24 hours to send it and in the mean time the £20.50 I put on the phone to cover the cost of the PAC coda £2 of it has gon for no apparent reason
i gave 30 day notice to cancel my orange account, and asked for a PAC code to transfer to O2. About 28 days on I gave O2 the pac code, bu they missed the deadline for some unknown reason. Orange say that because I didn't use the pac code before it expired, then i have to give another thirty days on my account. Is this right? I went over this very carefully with orange at the time, and wanted to be sure that my account would be cancelled. Can they ignore my notice like this?
i have a business contract with vodafone that has been up and running for a month now but i am slightly concerned that the people who had my o2 payg number are still using it is there any way i can get the calls diverted from that number to my contract as i dont keep all the one off business numbers on my phone as there are just to many numbers?!
Hi there,
My recommendation would be to speak to your network and ask them if they can instigate a number swap on the account. I think this would be your best bet!
Ken
I have a new unused unlocked phone and a PAYG phone with Vodaphone which I will cease to use when my unlocked phone is up and running. What do I need to do to transfer my number from Vodaphone to my new unlocked phone and then use a variety of SIMs on my new unlocked phone. Do I have to tell the SIM "owner" that I use on the unlocked phone the PAC number that I request from Vodaphone. Is this a "sensible" use of an unlocked phone in order to take advantage of differing tarriffs?
Hi Johnny,
There is no need to tell them which phone you plan to use – you just need to request the PAC Code from Vodafone and ensure you provide it to the network that provides your new service. You can then use their SIM card within any phone
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi ken,
I don't know if you can help,but I want to stop my daughter having a contract phone that still has 15 months to run.What I am trying to do is Port my payg number to her contract,which three will allow.Then I want to port her number to a payg sim which they say cant be done.She wants to keep her number at all costs,but I don't want her to stay on contract.Any advice would be welcome.
Hey Ken,
I have just got a new contract with Three.
My previous contract is a Rolling month contract of which I plan to cancel, can I Change it to a PAYG (So I can keep the number) and then have it put onto my new contract?
I’ve been told that if I cancel the contract my number will be lost, as such I need to downgrade it to PAYG then swap it to my new one.
Last question; do you know if it’s free to call Three on a Three mobile?
Many thanks,
Thom.
Hi Thom,
Sure – actually I think you could just ask Three to transfer your number from your rolling contract onto your new contract! This would skip the step of moving to PAYG. With regards to Three-to-Three calls, no these are not generally free. Some tariffs such as 'The One Plan' give you an allowance of Three-to-Three minutes however: with 'The One Plan' you get 5,000 Three-to-Three minutes per month.
Hope this helps!
Ken
I have already obtained my PAC number from Orange and my contract ends on 1st of May, can I switch into different network now or I have to wait until my contract end date?
Thanks
Hi Gags,
You can use your PAC Code straight away – though be warned you'll still have to continue paying your current Orange contract until the 1st of May.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi I’ve done the PAC code transfer from vodafone to orange but now my old phones receiving texts from orange because my numbers been swapped but my new phone is the old number and I can only ring from it and the old one receives the texts and can’t ring out. What do I do ?
I have three phones:
out of contract iphone 3g with O2
in contract iphone 4 with Orange
business blackberry with Vodafone
I want to cancel O2 and port number to Orange whilst porting Orange number to Vodafone and getting rid of vodafone number but keeping account. I also wish to switch actual phones across as well. Orange would like to charge me for cancelling the contract even though I do not want to cancel the contract with them. any ideas on how I can do this?
Hi
I have a contract with orange and have had it for years as a personal number. I have just left my job and been given a PAC code for my work number which is on O2 and I prefer this number. Can I transfer this number to my current orange contract and replace my old orange number with it, or will orange tell me to take a new contract out?
Great site !
I have just been given a business mobile phone (on O2) and would like to port my current Vodafone number. I would like to keep my current vodafone contract and get a new number for the vodafone contract that my wife would then use. Vodafone are saying that if I port my number they have to terminate my contract and I have to pay a termination fee. Seems mad that they can't port my number and keep the contract maintained with a new number. Vodafone seemed to struggle to understand what I was even asking for. Any suggestions?
Hi there,
Yep this should be fine – you should be able to transfer your phone number over whenever you like!
Ken
Hi.
I am currently on vodafone and still have 3 months left on my contract. i would like to get a phone from Three 3 network now so will have 2 phones running untilm my vodafone contract ends. Can i get a pack code from vodafone when my contract ends and then transfer my number to 3 a few months into the contract?.
i want to move.because in my working area the lycamobile signal better
Hi there
I have transferred an old number to a new sim through t-mobile around 1 year ago but had to give my PAC code to orange and back to t-mobile again. This was because they did not have the system in place to transfer number between their network.
I just wanted to know if I can transfer my old t-mobile pay as you go number from my old sim to a new t-mobile blackberry sim (this is because they are offer free internet and free bb mail for 6 months). Also do they now have the system in place.
If you can help me that will be excellent.
Thank you
If there multiple numbers eg 25 to one PAC code, is it possible to port the numbers on different days?
Hi. I have purchased a T-mobile PAYG gold number which will arrive tomorrow. Im awaiting confirmation of a T-mobile contract in next day or so and want to use the gold number on the new T-mobile contract. Will I have to transfer the number to another network first and either way, does the gold number need to have credit to transfer/get pac code or can it be done with no credit at all ? Thanks
Hi there,
As far as I'm aware, there should be nothing stopping you from porting in and then back out immediately.
Best regards,
Ken
Hi Ken,
Just a quick question about a similar situation. I need to port my number from one T-Mobile account to another, but it's not possible to do it via upgrade. My plan to port out to a PAYG account on another network, then port back in to T-Mobile.
Is it possible to port in / port out immediately or are there time limits?
Thanks,
Keith
i gave vodafone 30 days notice for my contract to be terminated on 31st of january,i also requested a pac which i did not use.Despite numerous emails vodafone keep ignoring that i gave written notice to terminate and just keep telling me that "as per telecom rules when pac code is issued we cannot schedule contract for cancellation".I thought that all i legally had to do was to give 30 days notice please help
Hi,
I currently have just finished my 24 month period with T-Mobile for my last handset.
I have just ordered a new handset from Tesco Mobile which is still through the T-Mobile Network.
I phoned T-Mobile today explaining this assuming that my number would be moved from the old contract to this new one, I was amazed to be told that I would have to get my PAC from them & give it to another Network (eg 02) then after a few days phone 02 to get the PAC again from them & then transfer it back to T-Mobile again for my new handset which is on its way.
Is this not a crazy situation which should be dealt with through T-Mobile directly? I cant begin to see any sense in this method.
(is this for real?)
Thanks Robbie.
Hi Ken
my wife has a PAYG phone with virgin (uk) and would like to switch to a tesco sim only monthly contract. but her phone is locked and virgin said it would cost £15 to unlock. does this Pac code unlock the phone or do we need to pay vigin the money first.
ps the phone is nearly 2 years old.
thanks tony
Hi Tony,
No, a PAC Code will not unlock your phone – it only allows you to move your number. Your unlocking code costs £15 and unlocks the phone, the PAC Code is free and allows you to transfer your phone number.
Hope this helps!
Ken
Hi, if you change network providers and u keep your number do you use the same sim?
Hi Ted,
You will need a new SIM card. The phone number will be transferred from your old SIM card to the new SIM card.
Hope this helps!
Ken
Hi,
Sorry if this has already been asked/answered, I tried reading through all of the questions & answers but there are just so many!
My Orange contract ends on the 16th March & Orange have told me I can get my PAC number now at a cost or wait until the 16th Feb to get it for free…so I am going to wait, however – when transferring this number to a new network – do I need to wait until my existing contract expires in March or can I use it as soon as my new handset arrives? And if so…what happens to my Orange account when the number transfers?
Many thanks
Hi there,
You can use this as soon as you get it! If you terminate early (i.e. before the 16th March), you'll still have to pay off the remainder of the contract with Orange which will terminate early. Seeing as you've already paid for your contract until the 16th, it might be worth waiting until then before requesting the code and using it!
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi, I am due for an upgrade with vodaphone and am after an iphone 4s which I can get for free from another supplier but on a vodaphone contract. Trouble is that I must keep my number as I use it for my business and the website are telling me that I cannot keep my number! Can I make them use my pac code to keep my number? As I said I MUST keep my number so have to be 100% sure before I commit to a new deal!
thanks
Andy
Hi Andy,
I believe the proper way to go is through Vodafone as an upgrade. Obviously as an upgrading customer, that means you won't get the same deals as a new customer would. You could call Vodafone customer services and ask them to move your number between accounts (other mobile operators such as O2 can do it with ease). Worse case scenario, it's possible to port out to another network and then port back in. You can get a free SIM card for this purpose.
Hope this helps,
Ken
I bought a mobile phone contract online with T-mobile and then contacted T mobile directly ( as I had bought from a website) and was told that I could not transfer my number to a new contract on the same network.
This has left me in an awkward position as I have to take a new number when the current number has been my own number for over 14 years. Is there anyway around this please?
Regards. Pari.
Hi Ken, I have a new Nokia phone given to me cause my old one is old… if I put my sim card into the new phone it works but…(dumb question) How do I transfer everything to my new phone ie; contacts,inbox txts, memory do I have to plug the two phones into each other ???
Hi Linda,
A PAC Code won't transfer anything but your phone number. For texts, phone book and so on, have a look at this guide.
Hope this helps,
Ken
can i keep my current number when change from PAYG to contract? and staying with same provider/network
Hi Helen,
Yep! Though when staying with the same network, a PAC code isn't needed – you just call up the network customer services directly.
Hope this helps,
Ken
I asked Orange for my PAC code, but they said to get it they need to reactivate my account and this would cost me one months line rental to do so (£25 )
I know they're not supposed to charge, but can they if they need to reactivate my account? My contract only got cancelled a few days ago.
Hi Chloe,
As an alternative to renewing your contract, you could ask them possibly to reactivate it as a Pay As You Go account and then to provide you with a PAC Code? But yes, I guess your phone number would need to be active in order for you to be able to transfer it…
Ken
Thx for the reply! So it means my giffgaff number will be deleted and replaced with my lyca number?
Hi Dian,
Yep! If you transfer your phone number from LycaMobile to Giffgaff then your current giffgaff number will be "deleted" and replaced with your Lyca number.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Is it possible to transfer a current tombile number to another tmobile
Hi Rax,
This should be possible if you ask T-Mobile customer services to do it for you.
Ken
i have just recently transferred from orange to t mobile using your pac code tutorial, the confirmation of the number transfer came through today and ever since then there has been zero connection to the mobile internet. is this something ive missed?
Hi Mayfield,
Have you set up the APN settings for T-Mobile on your new phone?
Many thanks,
Ken
Hi
If I am using giffgaff (after activating and using it as sim normally), can I transfer my lycamobile number to my giffgaff sim? So I only have 1 sim activated (giffgaff)
Hi Dian,
Yep! Just follow the step-by-step instructions here:
http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/pac-codes-how-to-transfer-your-mobile-number-when-switching-networks?from=lycamobile&to=giffgaff
Hope this helps,
Ken
can u help,i have a contract with orange 1 year left only ,i need a new phone and more allowance ,keep going over , not elligble till march 2013 for upgrade ,they will increase tarriff £20 Month,but still have to get new phone ,i could go out get contract new phone high allowance for £20 but the dilema is i need the number for my buisness what do i do ??????
Hi Tracy,
Sounds difficult here as there are multiple networks involved – although as far as Vodafone are concerned it's a normal port out and as far as O2 are concerned, it's a normal port in. So the people to speak to are Three: maybe check with customer services to see whether they're able to do a simultaneous port in and port out.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi Tracy,
Sounds difficult here as there are multiple networks involved – although as far as Vodafone are concerned it's a normal port out and as far as O2 are concerned, it's a normal port in. So the people to speak to are Three: maybe check with customer services to see whether they're able to do a simultaneous port in and port out.
Ken
I am leaving Vodafone early (22months left on a contact) due to their disgraceful customer service. I asked them for aPAC code which they gave me but said i can't use it until my contract is closed – is that right? if i give it to my new provider, will they be able to transfer my number over? I use it for business so losing my number would be very costly to me!!!
Hi there,
Sorry to hear about your problems with Vodafone
Unfortunately, whilst you can terminate your contract early, typically you'll need to pay off the rest of your contract (i.e. the cost for the remaining 22 months). I think this is what they meant on the phone. I know this probably isn't the answer that you wanted.
Ken
If I transfer my number from Orange-Orange, will the credit on my new sim still be there after my number is transferred?
Hi JJ,
It's worth calling Orange Customer Services and asking them to transfer your credit along with your phone number – it's certainly possible on O2 Pay As You Go… don't know about Orange!
Ken
I have a new(ish) sim card and want to transfer my old number to it. it used to have a number on it, but it doesn't anymore. can I still transfer my number to it?
Hi Tom,
If your new SIM card is still active, I think it should be possible to transfer a phone number to it. What do you mean by the fact it no longer has a number on it?
Ken
Hi,
do I need to pay a fee to transfer my number from Tesco Mobile to Three? I'm just wondering because in Germany, you always need to pay to keep your old number. Thanks!
Hi Stefanie,
As far as I'm aware, it should be free to transfer your phone number from Tesco to Three
Ken
I got an iphone4s for christmas and put credit on micro sim before swapping as I wanted to swap in a day or two!! I swapped today and now the credit I put on micro sim( £30) has disappeared!! Where's it gone I only have the credit I had on old phone number!!!
My orange contract is coming to an end and I am taking out a new contract with orange, but via an online provider with an NHS discount offer. Orange are saying that even with a PAC code I can't keep my old number – even though they will still be my network!. I don't think this is legal – can anyone help?
Hi there,
There is nothing illegal about this – one would hope that Orange would transfer your number between accounts in order to retain a loyal customer. I know other readers have initially experienced problems transferring their phone number between two Orange SIMs but they normally succeed eventually after speaking to several people in the call centre. If you really struggle, you can transfer your number out to a different network before transferring it back in.
You can get some free SIM cards for other networks here.
Ken
Its been about 2 – 3 days since I asked for the switchover from Orange to T-mobile. Is it a problem that I am abroad? Will I have to wait until I get back to the UK for the switchover to actually happen? Thanks.
I am moving provider for a better deal. I was with tmobile and intend to move to 3mob. I have served my cancellation notice and have requested a PAC code and tmobile are saying I have to wait a further 30 days if I want this code. I am confused and feel cheated!! Help
Do not go with 3 Mobile. Terrible provider. Limited availability on handsets and signal issues.
Hi Mazz,
As long as your account is still active, there should be no problems getting your PAC Code.
Ken
Hi
i was just wondering i had a contract just finished a week ago and im looking to get a pay as you go sim with giffgaff but i wanted to keep the same number i wanted to know do you still need to be on your contract to get your PAC code by the way i used to be on vodafone?
thanxx
Hi ken
I’m planning on moving from Orange PAYG. to Vodafone PAYG and I wish to keep my existing number which I’ve had since 2000. I understand that Vodafone will need the PAC code but wouldn’t they also need the SIM card number? Because how else are they to know which SIM to transfer it to?
Hi Sarah,
Yep – let Vodafone know your PAC code and the number that you'd like to transfer over to them (though I'm sure this is uniquely linked to your PAC code anyway). You'll also need to let them know which Vodafone account to transfer it (e.g. your temporary phone number or something).
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi. Transferring in UK from 3 (PAYG) to Vodafone (Monthly).
On Vodafone Website, it says the SIM Card needs to be in the UK for the Number to be ported over.
Why is this and will it cause any problems if the SIM isnt in the UK?
i bought a new phone from orange, could someone tell me how to transfer it to 02?
I gave my PAC code to Orange two weeks ago, a week later nothing happened. Rang them up a week ago and was told that it would be sorted by midnight, got a text on my old sim card from T-Mobile (my old network) saying that it had started the process and would be done by the end of the day. A week later, and again nothing has happened. So I rang them this morning to be told there was something wrong with my PAC code, so I re-gave them the code and was told it would be done between 11am and 3pm. It's now 5 and a half hours after this time and still nothing.
Why is it taking so long? And is this actually against the law (Ofcom) as I have seen on some forums that there is a set amount of days that the network has to transfer the number over?
Hi,
I had an orange contract that just finished on 23-11-2011. I have a new vodafone contract since last 3 months and the new number is active since last 3 months. Orange have issued me a pac code on request. But now because my vodafone number is already 3 months old, I wonder if I can still use the pac code and get my Orange number again. Thanks for all replies.
i received my pac code from Vodafone, gave it to Tesco, waited a whole day. what has happened now is i can ring out but nobody can ring in or receive text. Tesco have said Vodafone have not released everything after two more days and calls to Tesco still no further on. What can i do?
Hi Eddie,
The credit is linked to the SIM card rather than the physical device/phone!
Hope this helps,
Ken
I transferred my sim card from my existing mobile into an iphone then realised i had not saved my contacts to my sim so removed it and put it back into my old phone to copy the contacts. when i tried to use my old phone to call out i had no credit left yet withall i had 10 pounds of credit before syncing the sim card to the iphone. If i put my simcard back in the iphone will i get the credit back(both phones are orange network)
Do you have to transfer your PAC on the same day or after the official termination date of your current contract? If you do it a week or so earlier does that make any difference?
Hi Hugh,
The number transfer doesn't have to happen on the exact date your contract terminates – in fact you can do it any time afterwards. You may also be able to transfer a bit earlier than the end of your contract (ask your network if this is possible).
Ken
such a good and easy to understand guide!! THANKS KEN!
cheers ken!
Hi Ken, its been over a week trying to get my number ported from Vodafone to 3G. When I call people from 3G my ported number shows up to the receiver, but if they return my calls then it still comes to the Vodafone sim. Vodafone say its 3G’s fault (they have the pac code), 3G say its Vodafone’s fault (they have not released the number) who is really to blame and what can I do about it?
what about if the network is from the USA (at&t) ? can it be ?
Hi Koo,
Unfortunately the system for transferring your mobile phone number is different in different countries – this article refers only to the UK. I'm unable to advise on the US market. Sorry!
Ken
how do i change my number but keep my sim card
Hi April,
If you'd like a totally new number for your current SIM, the best thing to do is to call your mobile phone network and to ask them to do this for you.
Ken
Hi there,
I had my phone stolen a couple of months ago so I cancelled my contract. I haven't bothered getting a new phone until now because I was abroad. Is it still possible to get the PAC code for the number of my old phone, or will it have been passed on to someone else now?
Hi Aly,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your phone. Best thing to do is to call up your mobile network and ask to see whether they left your account/phone number active… I'm not sure how quickly they reassign them.
Ken
hi
My o2 contract is up in 2 months and was wondering can i switch my current number to a new phone ( same network ) if i get a new phone through another shop .
Hi Jim,
Yep! Just call up O2 customer services and ask them to move it over
Ken
Will Vodafone do the same thing? I asked a few years ago and their customer services department told me they wouldn't do it. Just wondering whether that was a case of talking to the wrong (least helpful) person, or whether that is in fact vodafone's policy.
I have come to the end of a contract with tmobile and wanted to take out a new one, still with tmobile but purchased through a discount store. T mobile told me that in order to keep the same number I would have to get a payg sim from o2 or orange, port the no across to that, then get another pac code from orange and port it back to tmobile. I did this but this morning when I tried to request a pac code from orange after the number ported across yesterday they told me I would have to stay with them as a customer for at least 7 – 10 days before I could get a pac code. Are they entitled to do this or am I within my legal rights to insist upon them giving me one straight away? There should be a more simple way of keeping your number if staying with the same provider rather than going through all this rigmarole!!
I am switching number from O2 sim to vodaphone
they said i should turn off phone at 11am and turn it on at 4pm and the vodafone sim should have carried over my previous number
it is now 8.30 and it still doesn't ring when i ring it and it says 'no service'
ANY ADVICE? THANKS
Hi Anna,
When you call your number, does it still go to your old phone? The switchover may have been delayed or something – from personal experience I find that it usually happens overnight.
Ken
Hi
I cancelled my Three contract in July 2011, and requested a PAC code for transferring to my new provider. I did not, in the end, use the PAC code, but now Three want to charge me for not using it quoting that, as it was not used after the 30 day period (of receiving it) the number was re-activated and I am liable for the charges (although phone was never used)! They state this was explained to me when I called for the PAC code, but I am 99.9999% sure they did not!! Any advice gratefully received! :O)
Hi Shug,
Unfortunately requesting a PAC Code does not automatically cancel your contract so they're right in this circumstance. If you request a PAC Code and then never use it, it would be as it was never requested (the contract would just continue as before). Things would be different if you had specifically asked them to terminate the contract there and then though.
Apologies for not being able to give you the answer that you want!
Ken
I had similar thing with Orange, and definitely told them that I wanted to cancel. The contract required thirty days notice, but when i didn't use the pac they wanted to ignore my cancellation request, quoting the expired pac as the reason.
Hi,
iam using Lyca Mobile and vodafone sim in spain. I want to transfer my credit to vodafone and i dont have any idea what to do. Any even Lyca Mobile customer care done not have any information regarding this. I request anyone please help me out with this.
Hi bada,
Unfortunately it is not possible to transfer PAYG credit between networks: you should use it up before you switch.
Ken
I have a GOLD number registered with Orange PAYG and they are refusing to issue PAC unless I have proof of purchase and identity.
I can provide identity proof but not proof of purchase as it was acquired from someone I no longer have contact with.
Can they do this? What can I do to obtain PAC?
I was using Lyca mobile and then i decided to switch to 3. I get the PAC Code from Lyca and gave all detail to 3 to switch over my number.
But 3 refused to do so by replying , "they are not allowed to switch numbers from the lyca to there network"
It was quit strange , I still keep my both numbers with me …. any one who can guide please …. I don't want to keep lyca network but definitely want to keep my number….
Thanks
It's exactly what have happened to me. I decided to switch to T-Mobile…and I received a similar answer.
hi ken lo , you are my help i have a problem
i have a contract with three company in uk for 24 month with an iphone 4 and only i did 10 month and i have go for another country, what i could do for dont lose money and my iphone 4 , my iphone 4 is unlocked and i would to keep it for my next stage in another country.
the company will block my iphone 4?
if i stop paying my bill and contract
thanks
Hi Ruben,
Thanks for getting in touch! Unfortunately you cannot simply stop paying your bill: you should treat a mobile phone contract like any other source of credit (like a credit card or bank loan) which must be paid off. Your best bet would be to call 3 Customer Services on 333: they may be able to put your contract on a holiday or something until you return to the UK. Otherwise it is possible to terminate your contract early but this usually means paying for the other 14 months.
Ken
word of warning the transfer does not happen instantly. you need to except to have 24 hours down time where you have NO ACCESS to your number at all. that is no calls, texts etc and when people call you they just get a dead line. So if you are using your phone for business best to let all of you contact know in the week of potential porting that there will be significant downtime
Hi metoo,
The transfer will take up to 24 hours – you will have access to a phone and your phone number during this time but only on your *old* network/SIM card. For this reason, it is important not to dispose of your old phone/SIM straight away. When your old phone/SIM card stops working, your new one will start working. These two things should happen at the same time so there should be no time where you're without access to your number.
Ken
Hi,
just in the prosses of getting a business phone but would like the number of my personal phone to be the business number, so it would just be a case of swapping the numbers around. I still have 15 months on contract with O2 on my personal phone, asking for a PAC code would they require me to cancel the O2 contract.
Hi Justian,
You should talk to O2 Customer Services about your request – switching phone numbers between two O2 accounts is outside the PAC Code system. This is only for number transfers between different networks.
Ken
Hi Ken,
I probably wasn't that clear with my explanation. I was switching my(current) O2 Number to my(new) Voda phone, which I would need a PAC code for. I was just wondering wether requesting a PAC Code the contract would have to be cancelled, even though I would still want to keep the O2 contract, but with tthe new Voda phone number.
Hi Justian,
I don't think the PAC Code legislation specifies anything along these lines… the best thing to do is to speak to O2 Customer Services and see whether it's possible to arrange. Do let us know what they say!
Ken
I have just been charged £25 by Daisy for my PAC code and they wouldn't give it to me until I had paid them. They insisted it was in my contract but I don't have a signed contract with them. What can I do about it?
Can I switch my number to another network and still stay pay as you go?
Hi
Yep, you can! The process of switching from PAYG to PAYG is the same.
Ken
I'm switching my network from Rogers to pay as u go and I have got an Iphone4 (micro sim) form apple store. Do I need to change my sim card if I keep my current number? what if I change it?
Hi there,
Unfortunately this article refers for the UK market! I can't comment on the process of switching in Canada as the system is entirely different.
Sorry!
Ken
Hi My husband has a o2 payg and wants to transfer to tesco mobile payg. can this be done?
hi guys i had a 3 sim and i was using the all in one deal pay monthly and i could use the internet, now ive got giff gaff and i cant use the internet it says something about SP settings and you need to change your packet data connection any one got an idea how i can use the internet using giff gaff (ive got free internet) and ive got a 5230
Hi ussy,
Sounds like you need the Giffgaff APN settings. See the following forum thread:
http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Learn-giffgaff-Top-Tips/Definitive-APN-Settings-list/td-p/1279
Ken
Update 8/7/11 – I've updated the article with changes due to the recent change in PAC code legislation (porting now takes 1 working day instead of 2). Also some extra FAQs have been added & info for more mobile networks
Ken
Hi can anyone help me.. My mum has a Vodaphone pay as you go,reception is terrible so last week while in an o2 shop i got 2 sim cards(one for each of us) and wanted to top up mine but was told that i had to top up both,so i did at a cost of £20 total,however mum and i decided to not use o2 and that Tesco was offering a better deal..so i asked o2 for my pac which all went through okay but my mum has had terrible probs….1~somebody had hacked Vodaphone's site so she couldn't get her phone unlocked…..2~ o2 have ported out and recycled her sim(with £10 credit)!!!!!!! So now she is having to go to Vodaphone a get another sim card also having to top that one up!!!!! So i just wondered as they have to give you the grace of 30days to use the pac code has this been illegal? Greatly appreciate any guidance on this matter… thanks Gwen
Hi Gwen,
Unfortunately when you port a number, you cannot transfer Pay As You Go credit so the £10 credit has unfortunately been forfeited. You could ask O2 to refund the £10 as a gesture of goodwill I guess, but I'm not sure they have to give it back to you. I'm not a lawyer though…
Ken
Hi Ken, Thanks for the advice but I am not bothered so much to losing the money but was it legal for O2 to port the number out when they were not asked to? I would like you to confirm this if possible. Thanks Gwen
Hi Gwen,
I don't quite understand – so you asked O2 for a PAC code… did you then provide the PAC code to somebody else? If so, you asked for a port to happen; if not, no port should have occured.
Ken
Can anybody help? I recently got an o2 pay as u go sim for my mother who wanted to change network from Vodaphone,I topped it up by £10 for her. She did not give her PAC code to o2 as she decided to move to Tesco(better deal for her) She then went to get her Vodaphone mobile unlocked,but unfortunately that proved impossible as somebody had hacked the network so no code could be used in order for the unlocking process to be done.The following morning she tried to make a call from her handset as she still had £10 credit but was unable to as o2 had ported her number!!!!!!! How could this have happened? Now she has been forced to get another Vodaphone sim and top it up as she lost her original balance and they cannot refund that (understandable) Has this been legal practice for o2 to have done this??????
I want to keep my Orange mobile number & Orange email address but I am transferring to O2 will I still be able to access my Orange email even when I have transferred my old number to o2. I have to input my orange number to login to Orangemail.
Hi Ken,
I guess your phone number is just like a username so I can't see any reason why this can't be possible in principle. That said, if your e-mail service was an additional feature of the mobile service, it's possible your e-mail account could be closed at the same time.
Ken
I'm cancelling an orange contract and found a cheaper contract for an iphone4 with orange with phones 4u!! the call centre people from orange said it would be possible to keep my old number due to restarting a new contract with them? She basically said that the pak code would work? Even though phones 4u will say it will?? Please help??
I have a buisness mobile with orange and also a pay as you go iphone with o2, i am finally getting a new sim for my iphone to go on to the buisness contract with my exsisting orange contract number but i was wondering can i still change this number over too my o2 number as i remember that one even though i have had the orange number for nearly a year hope this makes sense thank you
i order for my pac code, from T mobile to Vodafone, and they said in the nest 2hrs that i will received it, wat is the next step for me to take after i got it cuz i need to activate my iphone4
Hi Jackson,
The next step is to call up Vodafone and to provide your PAC Code to them.
Ken
Hi
I wonder if you can help. I am transferring from 3 (really bad signal) to Tesco Mobile and my phone is going through the PAC process today from 8 til 4 pm. Once the number has transferred over to my new phone does that mean my contract with 3 has ended? Do I have to contact them to confirm? They are not a very good customer services to deal with so am a little worried.
Thanks
Suzy
Hi I am coming to the end of my Three contract and I was wondering if I could transfer the three number to my Vodafone contract, problem is its 12months in?
Any advise would be really apprechiated!!
hi there
have bought an unlocked iphone 4 and a tmobile PAYG micro sim.
is there any way I can keep my old number from my previous nokia without cutting the old sim card to make it fit?
thanks
I am very annoyed. I purchased a gold number, which has been registered to me. I now want to move it to another network and Orange are refusing to release the PAC code unless I prove my identity and proof of purchase!
They have decided because my number is worth so much money that I must have bought it illegitimately and are trying to keep the number for themselves so they can sell it and make money.
I have proof of purchase and identification, but why should I?? The number is registered in my name and has been for over 6 months. I top it up with my credit card and have an online account with Orange. Bad Orange, bad company.
I bought 50 + numbers to sell in my business. It took months and hours to find each one. The network switched them all off, even though they didn't have any expiry dates. Now they give sims away.
Felt like I'd been robbed.
What I want to know is who legally owns the number ?
Since porting the number to different networks is commonplace.
I asked Ofcom but didn't even get a reply. And there lies the problem.
No real regulation, it's you against a multi-million pound company
I am in same position, Orange refusing to issue PAC unless I provide identity and proof of purchase. Has anyone been in this position and what was outcome?
Yes, I have had the same problem. I purchase a sim, it was classified as a gold number but only cost me £15 it had 2 doubles in it. orange refused to give me the pac even though i passed all security questions and gave them the 4 digit id code and the sim card number also.
They asked me for ID and A proof of purchase of the number. I have forward my drivers licence and my ebay receipt. They are still refusuing so no i am considering taking it to offcom.
Thats great!! Thank you for your swift and conclusive answer
Its time to get back on the phone to T-mobile then!
Cheers
Mark
Hi Ken, bit of a sneaky one for you. My current contract runs out with t-mobile next month..and the upgrade they have offered me isnt what I want…I have tried to get the deal / phone im after with no success…but I have seen the phone / deal I want on another website which t-mobile say they cannot match. This would be a new contract not an upgrade..but is again with t-mobile. I have been told by t-mobile that they cant transfer my number from my existing contract to the new one…Is this true?? If this is the case, cant I just buy a payg sim, from say Orange, get the pac code from T-mobile and transfer onto the orange payg sim and then shortly afterwards get the pac code from Orange to transfer my number back to T-mobile on the new contract? I dont want to lose my number if I can help it (had it for 10yrs+) and if Im honest I dont want to move provider as T-mobile is the only one I can get a signal with at home (the joys of living in the sticks). Complicated I know but hopefully you can answer my dilemma.
Many thanks in advance
Hi Mark,
T-Mobile CAN move your number to your new contract – I've not yet heard of anyone who is unable to. Sometimes you may have to go through several customer service agents as they sometimes insist it can't be done. I can't recall receiving an e-mail/comment from anyone who has been unsuccessful in moving their number around in the same network.
And yeah like you said, if it really was impossible you could simply switch off to Orange PAYG or something and then switch back.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Hi Albert,
I believe there should be no problems doing this – simply provide the PAC code as normal. I don't believe there are any ownership name checks.
Cheers
Ken
Hi Ken
I need to transfer my number that is in my personal name to my company name whilst switching networks. I am using it as a company phone so want my company to be invoiced for that.
Is it as just as simple as requesting a new PAC code or are there other requirements since the ownership name changes.
Thank you for your assistance with this!
I currently have a Orange pay as you go mobile phone (unlocked) and will be moving to Germany soon but I'd like to keep my current mobile number. I've used the PAC Code Finder but it only appears applicable from one UK provider to another so do you know if it's possible to move my mobile number from a UK provider to a German Provider.
Hi Andrew,
Unfortunately you can't port a UK phone number to Germany. You could set up call forwarding if your network provider allows it (but there will be international call forwarding charges involved). The easiest thing to do would probably to leave a voicemail greeting on there informing people of your new phone number.
Ken
i was on vodafone previously but changed to O2…..the o2 people said my number would activate between 10-6 today…..but so far it hasnt…..is this normal? how long does it usually take for numbers to be changed…..and how will i know? will my reception have to be at full when it happens?
I currently have a O2 pay monthly that I want to cancel but keep the number. I also have an existing vodafone contract that I want to transfer the O2 number to. Is this possible and what would it involve?
Hi Oliver,
Indeed this is – simply ask O2 for a PAC code and provide this to Vodafone!
Ken
swapping from three to orange the number for three service is wrong it is 0843 373 3333
Thanks, Three's phone number has been updated.
Ken
Vodafone are asking for a 12 digit pac number i dont know what to say to them iam stuck i need help
Hi Sheraz,
Could they possibly be referring to something else? PAC Codes should be 9 digits long.
Ken
hi i would like to know i switched my number from payg orange to payg o2 i got a text off o2 sayin once o2 uk cums back at th top of my phone that my number will be switch over, it says it will be active by the 4th may 2011 6pm latest but i text my number and it still hasnt received it could u help thanx kelvin
How many times can you transfer a mobile number between networks?
Hi MMM,
There are no limits to the number of times you can transfer a mobile network between networks.
Ken
Hi. I have a rolling contract with 3 okay and my dad has a rolling contract with orange. I like his tariff and he likes mine. So i would like to swap sims and keep our own numbers. Pl advise what the exact procedure as Im nt sure.Hope you can help Thanks
Hi HG,
That's a very good question – I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that, sorry! It sounds like the people that you need to speak to are BT – with regards to Virgin and Vodafone it's just business as usual. If BT could arrange for a port out whilst keeping your contract with a new number then this should be possible.
Ken
Hello, Ken
I can't work out the answer to what is probably a simple problem, and wondered if you could help? I have a contract with BT To Go, and my wife has a Virgin PAYG. I'm buying a new iPhone4 on Vodafone and we want to keep the BT contract running for my wife to use. I could of course use the new Vodafone number, and my wife swap to my old number, but what I really want is for each of us to keep our existing numbers. Can I both port my BT To Go's number to the iPhone microsim, and my wife's Virgin's number to BT To Go?
Hope you can help. Thanks.
i am swiching from tesco to orange i got my new SIM and my PAC code but when i put my new orange SIM into my phone it says "Insert right SIM card" please help how do ii get on to orange.
Hi Campbell,
Is your phone locked to Tesco? You can find out more on this page.
Ken
Can anybody help. I was given a PAC code by vodaphone after 19 months of a 24 month contract, I then changed to Virgin and the transfer was fine. Vodaphone now want to bill me for the existing line rental for the 5 months that were left totaling £123. Do I have to pay this, as I know it was not explained to me at the time of PAC code request?
Hi Paul,
Unfortunately there is a clause in the Vodafone contract that if you terminate early then "you must still pay all the line-rental charges until the end of the minimum period"
Vodafone Customer Services should really have informed you of this charge so you could try to appeal it to Vodafone based on that fact but unfortunately the contract does mention the charge.
Sorry Paul!
Ken
can someone help!!???
i requested my pac code form 02 to take over from my dads old contract on vodafone. i received the code and gave it to vodafone, and my contract with 02 terminated. I put my vodafone sim in my phone but its coming up saying 'invalid sim card'. why is this? im now stuck with no phone. any info very much appreciated .
Hi Billy,
Very strange, although it seems like Vodafone Customer Services are the people to talk to here.
Ken
Hi everyone, wounder if any could help me??? i have taken out a new contract on the internet (dial a phone) i was with vodafone previously but they couldnt offer a good deal on a blackberry torch so i got one through dial a phone… because its classed as a new connection although the network is still going to be vodafone, i just want to know how i would keep my exsiting number as i wouldnt need a PAC code as i am staying with the same network???
x x
HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELPP!!
Can anyone help me? I work for a small company and we have 4 mobile phones on Vodafone network but our contract is through a third party communications company. Our contract will finish March 2011, however, we want to move to another provider but the third party company want to charge us £45 per mobile for the PAC codes as they say Vodafone will charge them. Having contacted Vodafone they assure me that they do not charge anyone for PAC codes. The third party state in their terms and conditons that this charge will be made, but I feel that £180 is an unreasonable amount to pay for admin. Any suggestions please?
I have a pay as you go phone on T Mobile and want to get a newer one, still on T Mobile and still on pay as you go. I asked in the T Mobile shop if they could transfer my phone number over and they said that they couldn't. I then called customer services who said they could ( though they didn't sound as if they understood what I was asking!!!!)
Is this possible or not?
Hi Robsy,
This should be possible. Alternatively, simply take the T-Mobile SIM from your old phone and put it into your new phone.
Ken
I am out of contract with O2 privided via Outsourcery – a smaller independent company. I am told it will take up to 30 days for my PAC code to arrive and they want to charge £30 for this.
Hi Ken,
I'm with Vodafone and my 12 month contract ends on middle of Feb 2011.
I will be leaving to join another network as Vodafone cannot offer me a good monthly deal on the handset I want, nor could they matched up to the offer I have seen on the internet.
I would like to keep my number. Would it be ok to buy the phone first and then provide the pac code afterwards? because I do not have my pac code yet. I'm confused as to when I should give the pac code.
At the same time, I really want to buy the phone as the offer may finish soon.
The network is with T-mobile but the phone deal is offered on mobiles.co.uk. I am not sure who I should inform about transferring my number across, I should imagine it would be T-mobile???
Hope you can help!
Many Thanks!
Hi there Maddie,
Thanks for getting in touch. Yeah – you can request and use your PAC Code whenever you like – doesn't need to be at the start of your contract. So you can order your phone from T-Mobile on Mobiles.co.uk today (click here to order) but you can provide a PAC Code at a later date. So when your Vodafone contract ends, request a PAC Code from Vodafone and then provide it to T-Mobile customer services.
Hope this helps
Ken
Hi Ken,
Nice to hear from you. Many Thanks for the advice!
I have been told the PAC code has to be used within 30 days from the date it's generated or it will expire?
Regards,
Maddie
Hi Maddie,
Yeah you are correct
From the date that the PAC Code is generated, it will be valid for 30 days. If it isn't used in that time, it will expire and you can request a new code free of charge. Presumbly by the time you request your PAC Code you should already have your new T-Mobile phone so this hopefully shouldn't affect you 
Ken
Hi Ken
Thank you for the quick reply. You have been very helpful
Maddie
I have pay as you go on Vodafone. I know what to do to transfer the number to another phone but can I transfer the credit since I would still be on the same vodafone tarrif?
Hi Alan,
Vodafone customer services might be able to do this for you if you ask them but I'm not 100% sure what their official policy is.
Ken
Hi Ken,
Is there a time limit by which number porting (from payg to a t-mobile contract) must be initiated? Can i port a number (to my new contract), say, 2 months into the new contract?
Here's the scenario…
I want to get a contract with t-mobile in next day or so but as i have a lot of credit on my current PAYG sim. I don't want to port my number over just yet – want to use up my payg credit and ensure my contract and new phone etc are all good before porting number.
Thanks, Jo
Hi Joe,
No; you should be able to port your number over at any time
Ken
Hi Ken
I am buying a new iPhone 4 from vodafone, but keeping my existing iPhone 3 on 02 for my son to use however I'd like to transfer the existing iPhone 3 number that I use for work to the iPhone 4 and get a new number for the iPhone 3
Is this possible?
TIA nick
Hi Nick,
Yep you can do that. Just transfer your number from the iPhone 3 to the iPhone 4 in the usual way (with a PAC Code described above). Then simply grab an O2 SIM Card (either Pay As You Go or "Simplicity for iPhone") for your son and put this into your iPhone 3.
For more info, see our Free Pay As You Go SIMs and O2 Simplicity for iPhone articles
HTH
Ken
Many thanks for that Ken, but I forgot to mention that the 02 contract is still live for a few months yet. How would thatvwork?
Good question… you want to keep the O2 contract going but you want to transfer the contract onto a new number whilst swapping your existing number to Vodafone? I don't know about that… I think O2 Customer Services might be your best bet here. Sorry, I don't know the answer to that one!
By the way, have a look through my iPhone comparison tool (launched yesterday evening)… there are a few Vodafone deals there which aren't available through the main Vodafone website. They might interest you
Ken
Hi there.
I've just bought a blackberry, so i have had to order a blackberry sim. Now. I know that As i'm currently on T-mobile PAYG, and i'm switching to a different SIM on T-mobile i don't need a PAC code. However, I'm wondering whether the balance i have on my current number will be transferred to my new one?
Thanks.
Hi Louise,
Very good question – I don't actually know the answer to that question! On O2 you can move Pay As You Go balance to a new number but I'm afraid I have no idea about T-Mobile. Do let us know if you find out though!
Cheers
Ken
Hi Ken, a slight weird one here. I was with o2 and the contract was done on the o2 store. I want to take out a new contract with the carphone warehouse but still remain on o2. Do I need a PAC code for this? Alex
Hi Alex,
Nope you don't – same process as moving from O2 to O2. It doesn't matter where you buy your phone from
When you receive your new phone/SIM from CPW, give O2 a call and ask them to transfer your existing phone number onto your new SIM card.
Cheers
Ken
Hello
My contract with Tmobile is up for 'renewal' on 18th Jan. I have just taken out a new contract with O2, to beat the VAT increase. Will it be possible to ask Tmobile for a PAC code now, and transfer to O2, or do I have to wait until the 18th Jan when my contract is up to renew? would they give a temp number for my existing contract? or disallow it?
Hope you can help
Hi Matthew,
Thanks for getting in touch. You should probably be able to ask them for a PAC Code now that you're in the final month. I suspect you'd have to pay for the rest of the month although you'll lose service once your number has moved over to O2. However, if you wanted them to switch the number you might be able to ask T-Mobile Customer Services to do that for you (let us know how you get on!)
I think it's worth mentioning here that you don't save *any* money on your monthly tariff by taking your plan out now. You will only save money on the upfront cost of your handset. See my guide to VAT increases for more information.
Ken
I’m trying to move from Orange to O2 and Orange staff are being very uncoperative by cutting me off etc.
Yesterday my mum went to the Orange shop and they put us through to a man in India. He said that he would phone us back between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m that day it is now 2:59 the following day and we have still not heard from him, when my mum was talking to him in the shop he said that there was a queue of 600 people waiting for PAC codes.
I have advice for people changing networks:
DO NOT CHANGE TO ORANGE
hello, im changing from vodafone to o2 and i have provided the pac code today and i am aware that it could take up to 48 hours. do i need to keep my phone off during the whole thing or can i have it on and use it?
Hi pepp,
There is no need to turn your phone off during the transfer process. You can keep using your Vodafone phone/SIM card as normal until the transfer to O2 goes through. The transfer can still happen if your phone is on.
Ken
Hi Ken
I have an orange contract – dolphin 30 with 3g and 500mb internet access . I have purchased an iphone 4 which I have now discovered requires a smaller sim card – a micro sim. Orange are refusing to provide me with a micro sim unless I purchase an add on iphone bundle for £10 per month, They say my existing ontract won't work (not true as I am currently using an Iphone 3gs). It seems no other provider is insisting on charging an extra monthly charge just for providing a micro sim. Is there anything I can do to fight orange about this (I know I can just cut my sim down but would rather try and get Orange to play fairly).
thanks
Lyn
Hi Lyn,
Unfortunately there is little you can really do – Orange are under no obligation to provide you with a micro-SIM and they are well within their rights to ask you to pay more for it. If you've completed the course of your contract, you could take your custom elsewhere to get a micro-SIM or you could order a £25/mo. iPhone micro-SIM from the Orange website. Cutting the SIM is another alternative but it would be totally at your own risk and you could render your SIM card useless.
Ken
Hi Ken, I am a little bit confused and found on the internet you would give me a good & helpful advice.
I am on the last month of contract with THREE. I wanted to upgrade and stay with THREE but they do not have a handset which I want to upgrade to. I am deciding to finish this contract and do not upgrade but I want to keep my current telephone number. I know that to go to pay as you go I just need to speak to THREE's advisor that I want to just move to pay as you go.
The thing is that I want to get a contract with O2 now because they have exact handset that I want. Confusion starts now because I have no idea how to transfer my number from contract with THREE to contract with O2. What I have found is that there are 3 steps of this ! First : I need to get my number transferred to pay as you go at THREE and then obtain a PAC and transfer my number to O2 pay as you go and then to O2 contract ….. Is this right??
please help me !! thanks so much
Hi Kamil,
Thanks for your comment. No, there is no need to transfer to Pay As You Go first. You can go straight from a Three contract to an O2 contract. There are step-by-step instructions available for this.
Hope this helps
Ken
Hi
I am currently with T-mobile and want to look at other tariffs/suppliers. I called them to give them a months notice and request my PAC number but they've said I can't do both at once – If I cancel my contract I'll lose my number and that I should find my new service first and then call them for my PAC number but that the notice period would start from that point. Can't I give a month's notice and request my PAC at the same time?
Thanks
Tony
Hi Tony,
Bear in mind that a PAC code is only valid for 30 days from issue – if you need to give a months notice then by the time your contract actually ends, your PAC code would have already expired! Personally I would give your notice now, sign up for your new contract maybe 2 weeks into the notice period (you want some kind of overlap between the two) and once you've done that, request the PAC Code.
Ken
Thank you. I think they were just trying to squeeze more money out of me!
Fantastic and well constructed. No doubt a benefit to all!
Hi Ken,
I started my current job around 12 months ago. They offered me an O2 business contract as part of the position. I decided to port over my existing Orange number on to the O2account. All good. Now however, I am moving to a new employer and want my take my number with me. I have read your advise above which suggests they don't have to release this if the contract has not expired (it still has a year run). Is there anything I can do? I've had the same number for 5 years and don't want to lose it…and they got it from me in the first place!
Any advice would be most welcome.
J
Orange overcharged on a recent US trip and after much debate terminated my phone today, is it still possible for me to get a PAC code to transfer to another provider whilst I pay the outstanding off? Or can I set up a pay as you go account whilst I am paying it off?
Mina
Hi,
Wondering if you can help. I have a contract with orange, which has now gone out of contract. I wanted to upgrade, but they couldn't offer me a very good deal, so I decided to get a phone online, which was much cheaper with cashback options. The new contract is through e2save (part of carphonewarehouse), but with Orange still. I was told by e2save that I would be able to port my existing number to a PAYG sim, and then onto my NEW contract in order to keep the same number. Just spoke with Orange about moving it from my current sim to a PAYG orange sim, and then onto the New orange sim. They told me that they can no longer do this, and that the only way to keep the number is to upgrade with them. Is that correct, and is this allowed?..
I also have a Vodafone PAYG sim, and when I spoke with them, they said that it would be possible, but it would take 48 hours to move to PAYG, and then 48 hours again to move to New sim, and that I would have to be with them for 30 days before they give me a PAC code.
I know it's a little confusing, but advice please!!!!
Hi,
Thanks for your comment Rose. I know of several friends and have received emails from people who have been able to port their number from an old Orange contract to a new one which was purchased through CPW. It seems like Orange really don't like doing this so you might have to speak to several different people in customer services first. But they can most certainly do it if you can persuade them to do so!
Ken
Excellent news. Thanks for your help. I'll be more persistent. Did these people do it recently, though? As the guy I spoke to at Orange thought he could do it, but spoke to someone else who told him they no longer do that.
Hi Rose,
My friend did it in September but had to call customer services 3 times! Put it this way… you're paying them a lot of money and other networks would love you to join them instead! It's bizarre why they'd make it so hard for you to stay on Orange!
Ken
Indeed. Will definitely try again tomorrow. Thanks Ken!
Yo,
I recently got a new phone, and changed networks to Orange (contract) from O2 (pay as you go). I didn't get a PAC code in order to take my old number with me (I'm already regretting that decision), and I am now officially with Orange. Is there any way that I can still transfer my old number onto my new phone, or will I have to start the process of telling all my friends and family my new number?
Cheers
Hi John,
Providing you still have the Orange SIM card and the phone number hasn't been disabled, I think Orange Customer Services should still be able to give you a PAC Code to transfer your phone number.
Ken
Hi,
i have recently transferred my sim only deal from tmobile to o2, now that the PAC code transfer has happened, my old tmobile sim is also still working! and yet i have the old number on the 02 sim too, is this a worry?
Thanks
Hi Sally,
Sounds like the number hasn't transferred over yet. Have you given your PAC Code to o2 and waited 2 days for the transfer to happen?
Ken
My contract ends 22/11/10 with t-mobile. I like them but the upgrades are rubbish. so what i want to know is if this is possible:
take out another t-mobile contract (free phone & gift), port my current number to a payg sim when contract runs out, and then port the payg sim to my new contract (changing the new number to my old one)
Hi Andi,
You could simply call up T-Mobile and ask them to port your number from your old contract onto your new one. Alternatively, look into a SIM-only tariff if you're happy with your existing phone.
Hope this helps
Ken
Hi Ken,
I have a similar problem. I have been with Orange for the past two years and my contract is up this week. They couldn't match the dial a phone deal on orange so have said I can't have a PAC as it's the same network and I will need to transfer to PAYG and then transfer over, I'm confused. It took me three customer service assistants to get this far. Can you help?
Kind regards
Joan
3 Mobile are very bad at releasing the PAC. My contract ended months ago, so they've had a good few years from me. I had to basically tell them that they cannot legally hold onto the code. It took many phone calls and arguments. They are a bad company….without a doubt….bad bad bad.
I gave my PAC code to Orange on Wednesday, so i'd get my number transferred from Vodafone. My number is now on my new phone with Orange, however my texts and phone calls are still going through to my Vodafone phone, is this normal?
Will i lose my £10 credit on my new o2 sim when i port the number from T mobile? Cheers, Steve.
Hi Steve. Yeah, you need to use up your credit before porting. Ken
I'm having issues with vodafone, my contracts have come to an end but there is an amount of the account of £ 510 which I am disputing. I want to go on to a SIM only deal with another supplier, can they refuse to give me my PAC number if there is an amount outstanding on the account?
Hi Mag,
Giving the nature of this dispute, I'm not really sure. You can read the OFCOM code – see page 62. Sorry I can't help with a specific answer.
Ken
Many thanks Ken, all the best
I'm switching from 02 to orange. I have had my pac code through and have contacted orange and given it (pac code) to them. I currently have a different number from the new orange sim, but they said it can take 3 days to switch (due to the weekend most probably Monday). They told me to have my mobile off – but which sim/phone do they mean. The new orange one or my 02 one? my contract with 02 ended on Friday and I cancled it a few days before. They said for the pac to work properly my mob needs to be off, but I don't get which one they mean?
Hi Katy,
I'm not sure… you'll have to ask them for a clarification of what they mean. As far as I know, when the transfer happens you will simply lose signal on your old phone. For me it happened overnight so on the Monday morning when I woke up and turned my phone on, my old phone stopped working and the new one had the existing phone number.
My advice is to reboot your new phone when you lose signal on your old one. I think this should be sufficient.
Ken
Keep your new phone/sim switched off during the switchover period.
Switched from 3 to Vodafone yesterday. Vodafone told me keep the Vodafone mobile/sim off between 11am and 4pm. And don't switch it on until after 4pm, even if signal is lost on the 3 phone/sim before then.
With regards to the old phone – they didn't specify, only that it's important to switch off the new phone. Going to just keep both off – easier…
Hi,
I hope you can help.
I currently have a contract with Orange and have six months left, I want to continue the contract but with a different number, when speaking to Orange they say they are happy for me to change the number on this contract for a fee of £10 but they will not give me the PAC code for the original number. Are they legally obliged to give me the PAC code for my original number or can they withhold the PAC code from me.
I basically need my original number because I want to move to an iPhone on another network.
Many Thanks
Hello Kirit,
I don't believe that they need to give you a PAC Code until either your contract expires or you pay off the remainder of the contract. Your situation is a bit strange… so I'm not really sure. You can see the Ofcom document at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/telecom… page 62. Seeing as you are moving a number to Orange as well, it's possible that Orange would do this out of goodwill.
Ken
I have a similar situation in that I have a contract with 3 but also a new contract with O2, and my daughter has a phone with vodafone on a contract which runs out next week. I'd like to port her number to my 3 contract and my current 3 number to O2. I don't know how feasible this would be but I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Tracy
Hi there, my number ported from 3 to Vodafone a few days ago and appeared to be working finely. However, it transpired that I wasn't receiving texts and calls from a friend who is on 3. I turned my old 3 phone on and sure enough I still appear to be connected to 3! At the same time as being connected to Vodafone on the same number! Thought this would be impossible! Any advice greatly appreciated.
I'm transfering from vodaphone to T-mobile. Vodaphone are in the process of sending me my PAC code. Someone's told me I will lose all my contacts from my SIM card when I get the PAC code. Is this true. How can i avoid this situation?
Hi Steve,
Yes, you're right. If you have any contacts saved on the Vodafone SIM card, you'll need to transfer them to your new T-Mobile SIM card. However, most phones save contacts onto the internal phone memory by default.
For more info on transferring your phone book, we have published an article here.
Hope this helps
Ken
If your number hasn't transferred, check with the company you are moving from as well as the one you are moving to… the one I moved from gave me an invalid PAC code!
Thanks for the heads up Cheryl. We've added some information to the article about what format PAC Codes should be in
This should help people find out whether their PAC codes are valid.
Hi, I got a new SIM with o2 and requested a PAC code from Orange so I could keep my number. Orange said they'd send it in the post for me.
I put the new o2 SIM in the mobile I'm using so that I could get it set up ready for when I receive the PAC code. The SIM said it had been activated and it appears that I now have signal and can use the SIM for calls and texts – but obviously on a new number that I dont want to use. Now that the SIM has been activated will I still be able to use the PAC code, SIM and keep my number? or have I screwed up by putting it in the phone?
Hi Liam,
Nope! Spot on… that is exactly what you need to do. You need to activate your new SIM card & phone number before you can even use your PAC code! Once it arrives in the post, call O2 customer services and give them the PAC Code. They'll handle the porting for you.
Ken
hi im on t mobile my contract is due to end next month i want to end contract and start a new one with the same network because if i was to continue my contract the deals arent as good as if i start again. could i transfer to an orange pay as u go sim then transfer it back?? plz help thanx
they said i cant use pac code to change number on same network if u get what i mean
Hi there,
Yep this should be possible. Alternatively, ask T-Mobile customer services… they should normally be able to move your number over to the new contract directly. Otherwise, you could try the method you've suggested.
Ken
hey I'm with tmobile and my contract was coming up for renewal saw a better deal with tmobile online, they couldnt match it and for some reason they cant just transfer the number over to the new tmobile contract. If you wish to keep your number then you have to port off to another network and port back.
Hi,
I don't know if anyone can help me, but i have had A LOT of trouble from orange, which resulted in me ending my contract with them. This was 4 weeks ago. I now have a new phone and have requested a pac code in order to retrieve my old number which i have had for a number of years and desperately need to keep, as i have moved away from home with a new job.
Problem- Orange are refusing to give me my pac code unless i reactivate my account with them, therefore they'll then charge me another months line rental (even though i have no orange phone and no contract) in order to get this Pac code.
Does anyone know if they can actually do this?????
Much appreciated.
Many Thanks
You dont have a hope. Not one. If you wanted to keep your number you have to request the pac code and use it, once used it closes the existing account. By cancelling your contract you have returned the number to the network, you have no rights to it all now.
heyy do u need to unlock ur mobile first? or can u just put the sim in ur phone and then put ur PAC in.
Hi Im Marta. My 3 contract will end in 3 months, but Ive decided I will take another contract form vodafone because my 3 reception is terrible. I was just wondering if it is a big problem to transfer my number just after my contract finish lets say i will have 3 months vodafone number and then i will transfer my 3 number ? or can i do it while im also on 3 contract?? its all a bit confusing.
Hey i got verizon wireless can i get my phone number changed to cricket?
does this work from Verizon to Sprint?
Hi,
No. The system for the US is different.
Ken
I am also in the exact same position as Mavis who posted up her query about 20 weeks ago but not sure what the reply is. Basically I am ending my contract but my friend likes my number. If I request my PAC code, can I pass it to my friend to use when he gets his phone?
Hi philippa,
I see no reason why you couldn't do this, yes. The PAC code only transfers a phone number and not account details/ownership etc.
Ken
I've receieved my PAC Code from 3G and they sent me a link to follow to activate before I transfer over?
This link is http://mobile.three.co.uk/sdf.transfer but nothing seems to happen when I put this link in?
How do I go about using the PAC code now its been issued?
It needs to be used by 8th August
Any help will be much appriciated
Hi Abby,
The link works for me… although it only shows general information about joining Three. It provides the same information as they provide over at http://www.three.co.uk/Pay_As_You_Go/Top_ups_the_free_stuff
I assume you received an 9-digit PAC code (don't post it here). You need to activate your new 3 phone or SIM card and then call the customer services of your new network and give them your PAC code.
Hope this helps
Ken
My work are buying me an iphone today and so I am going to cancel my current contract with Orange. Orange have said I will get my PAC code by Friday, if I get an iphone today will I still be able to change my number over to my old number or do I need to wait for my PAC code before I go and get my new phone?
Hi Sarah,
When you get your new iPhone from work, it will come with a new phone number. This will be your temporary phone number. When you receive your PAC code on Friday, you need to provide it to your new network ASAP. They will do everything behind the scenes move your number onto your iPhone but it will take up to two working days (so the number will only transfer to the iPhone on Monday or Tuesday next week). Until then, people can reach your iPhone through the temporary number and your Orange phone through your existing number.
Hope this helps
Ken
Hi, I'm currently with O2 pay & go but I want to change to another provider but keep my same number and handset, I haven't got any clues as to how I go about this – without it costing me too much money.
I really only use my mobile to send texts so I'm looking around for the best pay & go deals that live up to my expectations(the cheaper the better obviously).
Any ideas/tips/hints would be most welcome.
Thanks
Hi Royston,
We have some articles which might be of interest to you:
http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/free-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards-listed-reviewed-and-compared
http://cow.neondragon.net/index.php/which-pay-as-you-go-tariff-is-right-for-me-the-cheapest-best-value-tariffs
Ken
Thanks for that Ken, I'll study those articles when I get more free time
It's already been 4 working days, and my number hasn't transferred either, and it's becoming a problem as my credit is running out on the PAYG phone and I'm moving to a contract. What should I do?
Hi Heather,
Have you given your PAC code to your new network? You should contact them for technical queries.
Ken
Im transferring from tmobile pay as you go to o2 and it has been 2 working days already, what shall i do?
Hi
I’m in the process of dropping O2 because of their 500MB cap. I plan to get a Voda £20/mth iPhone SIM, cut it down to MicroSIM size and put it in the iPhone 4.
Voda ask you for the PAC code when you’re placing the order. Is this likely to cause me some downtime between them activating the code and me receiving / using the SIM?
Hi Rob,
I’m not sure. If Vodafone start the porting process before you recieve your new phone/SIM there is the possibility your number could be transferred over to the new SIM whilst that SIM is still in the post. I’d give them a call and enquire.
Cheers
Ken
my boyfriend is experiencing problems transfering from o2. the reason hes moving was the free phone he wanted. he gave them his pac coes and is still waiting 4 days later for his number to transfer, he has now been left without a phone he can use. good luck
HELP! im getting a simplicity sim from O2 Im buying it online and there isnt any where i can put the Pac code! Help
Hi Clare,
Many networks only ask for your PAC code once you’ve received your SIM. Otherwise there is a chance that your SIM could still be in the post when the number is switched over! As soon as you get your SIM and confirm that it works in your phone, you’ll need to call O2 Customer services (I think it’s 202 from the Pay Monthly Simplicity and 4445 from the PAYG Simplicity) and then provide them with the PAC code then.
Hope this helps
Ken
Can you transfer a number to a PAYG with a PAC?
Hi Mark,
Yep. Both PAYG & contract.
Ken
Hi and thanks this was useful but I would like to know.
Can you use a PAC on the same network who issued it through?
I run a mobile phone affiliation scheme and plan to let my existing contract with Three network expire, get my PAC and then sign up as a new customer and get my new Android HTC Desire at discount.
Is this legal?
Hi Bryan,
No you cannot use a PAC code with which it is issued. I have had some conflicting stories with what you can do. For my previous phone, I purchased a new O2 PAYG phone with cashback and was able to get O2 to transfer my number from my old SIM card to my new SIM card (and combine the credit). However, I know some other readers who wanted to use a similar trick and the advice they were given by the customer services of the network was to use a PAC code to transfer to a different network, then get a new PAC code to move back onto a new plan. So it seems like it depends on your network and their policies. I would give them a call, speak to their customer retentions department, tell them about deals other networks are offering and see whether they can offer you the same discount as new customers receive.
HTH
Ken
Thanks Ken, that is great. I can now proceed with transfering my number without sleepless nights worrying about my business!!!
Hi Ken,
I have a dilema. I have recently taken out a contract with O2 but have my business number with Virgin. I have asked Virgin for my PAC to transfer the number accross and was given this imediately! But they did say that as soon as I gave my PAC to O2 then the service with Virgin would be terminated. So as fara as Virgin are concerned I will be without contact with business clients for 48hrs. However when I spoke with O2 they said this wasn’t the case. It will take 48hrs to give the PAC to the Portal company who transfers the numbers but in this time my number will still be with Virgin & working & there will be maybe 1 hour while numbers are being transfered after 48hrs where there will be a break in the service to my business number but that is all. WHICH IS TRUE? I dont want to do anything until I am sure about how long I will be without the use of my business number!! Thanks
Hi Mal,
Thanks for your comment. O2 are right here: I recently had a similar experience switching from O2 to T-Mobile. Your Virgin SIM card will continue to work even after you have given the PAC code to O2. Once your number has been ported over to O2 (and not until then), your Virgin SIM card will be disabled. My number transfer happened overnight so I had no significant downtime at all.
Hope this helps
Ken
Talk mobile said they cannot do it only Fresh Mobile can and Fresh Mobile have ceased all operations since 30 March. Surely that cannot mean my number is gone forever – can it?
Afraid I don’t know… I would have thought that Fresh Mobile customers should now be part of a different network and then the new network would be responsible for PAC codes.
If you are still experiencing problems getting a PAC code, it might be worth contracting Ofcom.
My husband was with the Fresh Mobile network and it closed down while we were travelling overseas for 6 weeks. He has been desperately trying to get hold of someone at Fresh Mobile (operated by Carphone Warehouse and on the T-Mobile network) to get his PAC code so he can transfer his number but no-one seemse able to help him. Not at Fresh or CW or TM.
Any advice you can give would be helpful – it seems ludicrous that he will lose his number after 2 years – his whole business life depends on that number.
thx
Hi Zoe,
Are you now on Talkmobile?
I believe you need to contact your current network and remind them of “Ofcom’s ‘General Conditions of Entitlement’ (2003) Condition 18. They must issue you with a PAC code within 2 days of your request unless you are tied in to a fixed term contract and have not completed it.”
Ken
My friend is leaving her mobile phone contract & is not getting another mobile so she has offered me her PAC code (i like her number very easy to remember!!) can i use it when getting a new mobile?
Im in the last month of my contract. I have my pac code. when should I use it? If i use it now and order the phone will i have to pay the new phone contract from soon after ive ordered it, or will it do it from the end of my current contract? Is a bit confusing.
it shouldnt normally becuase they normally take 2 dayz but since there is snow in the uk connections are low so u may have to wayt until the weather blows over
I have gave my Pac code into T-Mobile from O2 and it has been 3 days now and no switch over has occurred, can it normally take this long?
no it took me 3 hours
im waiting on my straight talk phone number to switch to tmobile and it already has been a day .
Hi, im going to change my networks over from orange pay as you go to vodaphone iphone. Did this pac code work?/ Anyone care to share? thanks . And how long did it take to switch
Hi Rouge,
It takes up to 24 hours to change your network from Orange to Vodafone. You'll still have access to your Orange phone until the moment that the number moves over the Vodafone, so you shouldn't miss any calls/texts during that time. And yes, lots of people have done this switch – it works!
Ken
t mobile arent the best when it comes to you requesting something with them ive been with them 2 years with 3 contracts and now changing to another network they are hopless get back on there case with it thats a terrible time to do that
Hi Kelly,
It's worth speaking to your mobile network about this – they might be able to move your credit between SIM cards.
Hope this helps,
Ken