Time limit for porting a number

Genie

I'm gonna take out a new contract phone with 02, but my old orange contracts still got 2 and a half weeks left to expire.

If I buy an 02 phone, can I ask for my orange pac code next week and then have it transferred in 7 days, or do I have to phone 02 up within days/same time as taking the new contract?

pinkfluffybabe

A PAC code will last 30 days from the day you get it and as far as I know it takes 3ish working days for the new network to sort it out before you are with them on that number.

Steve_xx

Ask for the PAC code now. The PAC code has a 30 day expiry. You need to have the o2 phone up and running before the Orange contract ends. Make sure that when you ask Orange for the PAC code that no matter what, that the contract will terminate on the date you expect. Otherwise it might roll on.

If you think you cannot make it, it migh be worth asking Orange to convert your SIM to Pay As You Go when the contract ends. That way you get more time to choose another phone and you can then ask Orange for the PAC code.

Anon

One to watch - if you are porting a number and are getting a new deal on cashback, make sure that you check that the new supplier (o2 retailer as mentioned in your example) is happy for the porting at a later date, othewise it could mess up your cashback deal. For the sake of 7 days (the time after your PAC code transfer goes through to the end of the contract) it may be worth paying that andprocessing the port with your new phone contract than lose your cashback deal due to some hidden T&C.

Anon

Woby_Tide

Do O2 allow a port once contract is started, I thought they only accepted a PAC when you actually take out the contract?

Anon

Woby_Tide wrote:

Do O2 allow a port once contract is started, I thought they only accepted a PAC when you actually take out the contract?

Sorry - have not dealt with o2 before but they do seem to be different to others (apart from Vodafone) when their portability/number transfer terms are explained on websites. You are correct. OSPS state:

Please note that each network has their own rules regarding number ports. For example, Vodafone and O2 require your existing mobile number to be ported to your new phone at point of connection. We therefore will require your PAC code beforehand.

However, Orange, Three and T-Mobile are able to port your existing number onto your new handset at a later date.

The terms are outlined by different retailers (to get a feel for the process):

OSPS
http://www.onestopphoneshop.co.uk/index.php?&B[0][next][0]=faq#3

Mobileshop
http://www.mobileshop.com/customerservice/supportquestion.php/121

CPW
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/commerce/servlet/gben-server-PageServer?ARTICLE=MAIN.UK.INTERNET.HELPINFO.HANDESETHELP.PORTING.DEFAULT

E2Save (FAQ - point 7)
http://www.e2save.com/faq.php

Anon

gk172

Woby_Tide wrote:

Do O2 allow a port once contract is started, I thought they only accepted a PAC when you actually take out the contract?

I have started an 02 contract and took delivery on monday and called them on monday after they had issued me a number (rubbish) to see if i could port a 02 payg number onto my contract and they told me yes and the number port should be complete by 5pm tonight.

Genie

Good news gk172.

I'm hoping I can call them in 2 weeks time to do the number transfer because I still have loads of minutes I need to use up on my current orange contract! If they don't then I'll just have to stick with the new number I suppose.

Woby_Tide

gk172 wrote:

I have started an 02 contract and took delivery on monday and called them on monday after they had issued me a number (rubbish) to see if i could port a 02 payg number onto my contract and they told me yes and the number port should be complete by 5pm tonight.

I wonder if that was because it was an 'internal port' i.e. a migration rather than a port(as a port is one network to another officially). I'd just always been under the impression that porting from another network they required the PAC on the day you took out the contract(as do Voda) could be mistaken though.

Genie

I have done a port in the past from Virgin to Orange, around 7 days after starting the orange contract

Woby_Tide

thats because Orange/3/T-Mob allow post contract ports at anytime, O2/Voda historically don't