Orange charge another 30 days rental for porting

Jinner · 21 March 2006 at 6:27PM

I’m at the end of my ‘free’ 12 month Orange contract. I requested termination with a months notice.

It’s now a week before my termination date and I have just phoned to ask for a PAC code so I can port to another network on PAYG. Orange have told me that because a PAC code lasts for 30 days I need to pay for another 30 days connection! I told them that it says nothing about this in their terms and conditions and just because a PAC code lasts for 30 days it doesn’t mean it takes 30 days to port my number.

I tried an alternative method of switching to PAYG but was told that a new SIM card has to be sent from Orange and that takes - you’ve guessed it - 28 days and I have to stay connected until I get the new SIM. (They used to just convert your contract SIM to PAYG)

I then asked whether I could transfer to the Orange PAYG SIM card I have. Not possible.

I asked whether I could have back my number if I connected my PAYG SIM after disconnection, during the six months quarantine period when they hold my number. Apparently I would have to take a new number and can only transfer my old umber after a three month period.

So it looks like they’re holding my number hostage and I can only get it by paying a month’s line rental. The cheapest solution seems to be to change to a cheaper monthly tariff and pay for the month. Does anyone now what the cheapest pay monthly tariff is, or if there is another way to keep my number?

jelly_bean_6 · 21 March 2006 at 6:38PM

Porting requires you to be connected to your current service provider until the transfer date (usually about 7 days after you request to transfer).

We pay our mobile phone bills one month in advance. So although Orange are telling you that you need to "pay" for another month, I'm assuming you'll be billed for the next month, but once your number transfer is complete (say in 7 days), your Orange contract will cease, and you will be refunded any advance payments due. If you've ever noticed when you disconnnect from a network, your final bill is usually a credit which gets refunded either straight into your bank account, or by cheque - as they refund the extra month that you paid for in advance and didn't use. So if you paid for an extra 30 days, but had your number transfer go through in the 7th day of month, you will get refunded for the 23 days you were not using the Orange service.

Sorry this is so wordy - hopefully it makes sense! I'm pretty sure whatever you end up paying, you will get refunded for the time you are no longer on the network,

webkami · 21 March 2006 at 6:45PM

I think there is a confusion.

Ideally you should have told them about this 30 days before the termination.
as its in T&C (30 days notice). I dont believe its something to do with PAC expiry.

Now you are telling them 7 days which means the termination date will be 21 days after your contract finishes. They will charge you for that.

But the scenerio is if you get your pac and the number is tranferred in about 7 to 14 days (Normal time) Your contract will be terminated on that day number is transferred. Orange will only charge you for number of days until then.

They refund me £22 out of £30 when My contract was terminated this way. But I had other number on same account so it was adjusted in that.

So just take the pac and request a transfer ASAP. you will pay for number of days after your contract's termination day to actual termination day.

Hope it helps.

webkami · 21 March 2006 at 6:47PM

jelly_bean wrote:

Porting requires you to be connected to your current service provider until the transfer date (usually about 7 days after you request to transfer).

Sorry was just typing this and didnt realised there was this reply.
Which says same thing...

loates123 · 21 March 2006 at 6:51PM

my contract run out on the 24th april so when would i ask for a pac code i am with orange too

user56565 · 21 March 2006 at 6:56PM

This topic title is very misleading, and is indeed false.

Orange do not charge for a PAC. I know because I have just requested one.

When you request a PAC, you will have given Orange notice of your intention to leave. As your contract requires that you give 30days notice, they will charge you line rental for 30 days from the date of your request. Due to the way the PAC system works, you can give this code to an alternative provider almost immediately, and you will be disconnected say 7 days afterwards. Despite you no longer being connected to the Orange network, they will still charge you the remainder of the line rental from 30days from the date of your request, as this fulfills your obligation to give them a month's notice. (clause 4.1).

If you want to leave Orange ASAP, use your PAC straight away. They aren't holding your number 'hostage'. If you want to minimise the month's charges, downgrade your tariff to the lowest possible one available (could be an OVP tariff). Once you have left, you will see a charge on your final bill as 'MNP Debit' (or something like that, if I remember correctly). This is the charge that covers the line rental they are clawing back as part of the one month's notice clause.

The Orange billing systems will charge you this. However, I personally don't see how Orange can defend the charge in your particular case. They will have your request for termination on record, and you will have obviously given them more than a month's notice. I think you should be able to get this back.

Your mistake Jinner, was requesting a termination instead of asking what you really wanted - a PAC.

Jinner · 21 March 2006 at 8:44PM

Thanks for the replies. I have just double checked with Orange and they have confirmed they will charge 30 days line rental from the day I request my PAC regardless of when the porting occurs.

They told me that by requesting a PAC a I am requesting termination again. A strange definition but apparently there are three ways of "requesting termination" according to Orange:

1. Request disconnection (30 days notice)
2. Request PAC (30 days connection required)
3. Request transfer to PAYG (30 days notice required)

Even if you have previously requested termination changing to one of the other methods will incurr 30 days line rental from the day of the request.

Oh and apparently the PAC process is not covered by any terms and conditions..(??)

I asked what would happen if I wanted to delay my termination by another 5 days from the original termination date. This apparently would be no problem. Why then does requesting a PAC result in an additional 30 days line rental I if you are not connected!

Looks like I'll have to change to the cheapest tariff available as suggested and pay for a month. Anyone know the cheapest (inc OVP)?

loates123 · 21 March 2006 at 10:00PM

loates123 wrote:

my contract run out on the 24th april so when would i ask for a pac code i am with orange too

so i have to get this on the 24th march?????????????

if so another good reason to leave orange ...........back to 02 here i come

Anon · 21 March 2006 at 11:42PM

There is still confusion on this thread - a PAC code is the means by which you can transfer your number to another network. If you request one, you have 30 days to use it. If you do not use it, it expires, and your contract with Orange continues. If you use it, it normally takes 7 days to transfer, after which your contract with Orange ends.

What happens if I have paid for another month? If your payment has already been made today for the next month, and you use your PAC code today, at the end of the billing period you will get another "bill" with a credit on it for the difference between what you paid and 7 days worth of connection on your tariff. One quick phone call and Orange apply it to your debit card. HOWEVER, if you use a PAC code within your the minimum term of your contract (12 months/18 months) you may (likely would!) receive a bill for the full cost of line rental for any remaining months, therefore check your dates before you leave.

loates123 - request your PAC on 26th March (31 days in March, 30 days notice required before 23) - use your PAC code with a new network, for example, o2, around 16/17/18 April and your contract will then end within/by the 12 months (check the days depending on how long the other network will take - too early, and you will pay for a contract with Orange and not be able to use the minutes, too late and you will pay pro-rata for month 13.

Anon

Jinner · 21 March 2006 at 11:51PM

Thanks Anon. Orange disagree. I have spoken to three different cs reps and they have all said I have to pay the 30 days rental even if my contract has run a year and the porting happens prior to the 30 days. No refund.

redux · 22 March 2006 at 12:15AM

Jinner wrote:

Thanks Anon. Orange disagree. I have spoken to three different cs reps and they have all said I have to pay the 30 days rental even if my contract has run a year and the porting happens prior to the 30 days. No refund.

Sorry to be rude, but you still seem to be ignoring what people are saying.

It is a contract requirement that you give 30 days notice, and you will be charged for that period.

Orange charge another 30 days rental for porting

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