New contract and phone same provider

Tribulation

Hi, I contacted mobiles.co.uk to ask them the best way of taking out a new contract now my current one has ended, but with the same provider and keeping my number.

The reply I've just got is,

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your enquiry.

If you wish to maintain your current number, and your new network
provider is the same as your previous network provider, you can follow the process below:

* obtain a Pay As You Go SIM card
* request a PAC code for your desired number
* port/transfer your desired number onto the Pay As You Go SIM card
* once ported/transferred successfully to the Pay As You Go SIM card, re-request your PAC code for the port/transfer from the Pay As You Go
SIM card to monthly pay contract
* port/transfer your number from the Pay As You Go SIM card to your new monthly contract

That seems an awfully long-winded way of doing things, is this the norm please?

I have a contract that expires this month with Orange and want to take advantage of a new deal (phone/cashback offer) also with orange.

Many thanks

grumbler

Yes, it's the only way besides upgrading. The PAYG provider may require topping up before giving you the PAC.

AFAIK O2 is the only network that allows internal transferring of the number from PAYG to a new contract.

Tony5101

If your minimum term is up, have you not considered contacting your network's cancellation/upgrade department?
Mobiles.co.uk are taking you down the route of ending your current contract - and starting you off with a completely new one.

I guess it's up to you to decide which type of deal to go for - a)regular upgrade via network - theoretically less aggravation as they'll just udate your current account with new tariff/allowances etc. and you'll probably get a choice of new phone...or b) Completely end your current contract - have the hassle of PAC'ing out your number to another network, taking a new contract, and going back to your supplier as a new customer, then transferring your number back to them.
A is less hassle
B more hassle, but you might get a better overall deal

Tribulation

Thanks, might just go for a new number, get rid of some of the nuisance calls

Taking out a new contract will get me an extra £80 instant cashback. Rest of the deal is the same