Swapping number to new contract with 3

baza52

Have been with 3 for many years and have a good number ive kept for at least 10 years now.
As i was after a new phone and a 3rd party offered a better deal than 3 could i started a new contract.

Just spoke to 3 saying as my original contract will close in a few days could i swap my number to the new contract with them.

3 Tell me i will have to switch the old contract to pay as you go (meaning another 30 days notice and charges) then port the number to another network and then port it back again.

Anyone come across this?
Seems a very long winded way to go about it.

grumbler

baza52 wrote: »

...3 Tell me i will have to switch the old contract to pay as you go (meaning another 30 days notice and charges) then port the number to another network and then port it back again.

No need to switch to PAYG. Just request the PAC and the contract will be cancelled when it is used. If it is used before the min term of your contract expires you'll pay the early termination fee.
The PAC lasts for 30 days and you have to give a 30 days notice to switch to PAYG anyway.

They are right that the only way to stay at '3' with a new contract and the old number is to port it to another network (free) PAYG sim, then back to '3': Moving my number from T-Mobile to T-Mobile!

As a side note, be very cautious with "3rd parties" unless it is some well known company. Especially if it is they who call you and offer something.

It's not an easy job to get the PAC from '3' (although they have no more than 2 hours to give it to you if you ask), but after you get it they are likely to contact you and offer a better deal. Probably they will be able to match the one that the '3rd party' offered you. In this case you can avoid the hassle with porting the number.

Neil49

If 3 won't let you switch your existing number to the new contract without any hassle (ie going to payg) then you will have to do just that. However, it would be easier to switch to a different provider for a short time and then bring it back than try and do it internally with 3.

You could consider obtaining a sim from giffgaff (free and no contract at all) porting your number across and then switching back again once you have new 3 contract up and running.

Personally, if they want your business then they should put in some effort to help you retain your number without all the hassle.

I'm suggesting you use giffgaff only as a means to keeping your number but you may want to consider them as your new provider as they avoid all the hassle of contracts by using either payg or 30 day goodybags. You can switch between the 2 options and leave them any time you like. They use the O2 network so you may have to unlock your phone.

Hope this helps.

baza52

Ive had the new contract for nearly a month now and 3 were unable to match my new plan.
It hadnt crossed my mind i would need an unlocked phone either for a payg sim with someone else.

Im not going to bother with all the hassle. I feel a group text coming on with my "new" number.
Its a shame as it is,was a very easy number to remember and ive had it for sooo long.
At the end of the day tho its just a number and not worth stressing about.

Thanks Guys.

grumbler

baza52 wrote: »

Ive had the new contract for nearly a month now and 3 were unable to match my new plan.

Probably it was because you have not got the PAC from them.

It hadnt crossed my mind i would need an unlocked phone either for a payg sim with someone else.

I think you can do this without a handset or just borrow it from someone for a minute or so.

Im not going to bother with all the hassle. I feel a group text coming on with my "new" number.

It's not a big hassle actually.