Switching provider and switching back; is it possible?

Aristotle67

I'm certainly not what you'd call a techie so please bear with me on this!

I am on contract with Tmobile but have decided to leave and have the PAC code. It is valid for 30 days, I believe. I chose to leave because my contract is up and I wanted to upgrade from the HTC HD2 to the HTC Sensation. Tmobile offered me the handset free on the same package that I am on which is £35 per month. However, there are better deals with Tmobile all over the web, obviously aimed at new customers, which consist of more minutes and texts than I current receive, unlimited mobile web and a free handset from £25 per month. I pointed this out to Tmobile and asked for the same deal. They won't do me anything less than £35 with a free handset so I have told them to stuff it and have left.

I know I can go to another provider and keep my old number using the PAC code.

Up until now I have been happy with Tmobile's service and would like to go back to them as a "new" customer and thereby get that deal which is available online. I have been led to believe that if I do this I can't keep my old number as the PAC code won't work, which means having a new number. A new number would cause me a few complications.

I have heard something about getting a PAYG phone and using the PAC code I have, followed by getting a new PAC code from the PAYG provider and using this to rejoin Tmobile whilst keeping my existing number. Not being technical, I have no idea about this. Is it possible and, if so, how long will it take to complete the cycle and get the new deal with Tmobile which lets me keep my existing number?

happyhunter

Yes, it is possible and I have done it a few times in the past.
Virgin mobile and Orange networks are both good for a short stopover.

Not sure if they have introduced any new conditions, but in the past, I managed to port in and then port out within 2 weeks without even topping up. (Just call them to port-in and out using their landline CS numbers).

Google for a free virgin sim and get one sent to you directly from virgin mobile.