Is this normal when porting a mobile number?

stayingupright

I decided to leave Orange (monthly sim only), to go to Virgin (monthly sim only).

I wanted to keep my number, as I've had it for years, so was given a PAC.

I gave Virgin the number yesterday, and was advised it would take 24hrs to complete.

Since I got up this morning (a few hours ago), I noticed that the temporary Virgin number has stopped working - but - I have the same number (my old number) on both phones!

I can still ring/send messages from my Orange phone, and if anyone rings it goes straight to the Orange phone. However, I can also ring out/send messages from Virgin phone, but it cannot receive calls/texts... So if I ring my number from the Virgin phone it calls my Orange phone, and the number displayed is the same one.

I'm really confused as to why both phones have the same number, and what consequences this will have re; billing.

bigdave196

You're not supposed to use either SIM while the port is taking place as it can mess things up. You'll probably find the port has failed, or end up with problems now

Gordon_Hose

The Orange SIM will be deactivated in time.

Gordon_Hose

bigdave196 wrote: »

You're not supposed to use either SIM while the port is taking place as it can mess things up. You'll probably find the port has failed, or end up with problems now

Who says?

I can't see any reason why using the SIM would cause any issues with the port.

stayingupright

bigdave196 wrote: »

You're not supposed to use either SIM while the port is taking place as it can mess things up. You'll probably find the port has failed, or end up with problems now

That would be stupid as NEITHER Orange or Virgin advised me this!

Also how on earth would one know that the port had taken place unless the sims were in place?

grumbler

No, it's not normal.
Normally the old sim stops working at some instant. Then you change the sim to the new one (or switch the new phone on) and it works.

bigdave196

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

Who says?

I can't see any reason why using the SIM would cause any issues with the port.

Every time I've ported my number I've always been told not to use it between a certain time

stayingupright

Aah...

Still I'd started using the Virgin sim (with a temporary number), as the contract had started & was just waiting out the notice period with Orange. I was told to use up my remaining minutes via text last night, so therefore it would be reasonable to continue to use it, up until the time it ceased working - surely?

As to the Virgin sim - as I said that was a temporary number, and I was told that I could use it, and when the port was complete then my 'old' number would appear, so when I first used it this morning I had no idea that it would be with my old number, as I asssumed one would just stop working.

I'm stumped as to what to do?

Gordon_Hose

bigdave196 wrote: »

Every time I've ported my number I've always been told not to use it between a certain time

You must be really special then.

stayingupright

bigdave196 wrote: »

Every time I've ported my number I've always been told not to use it between a certain time

Fair enough - but I WASN'T told this, just to use up my minutes, and that it would take about 24hrs - I'd have to use the sim to use the remaining minutes...

Techhead_2

stayingupright wrote: »

That would be stupid as NEITHER Orange or Virgin advised me this!

Also how on earth would one know that the port had taken place unless the sims were in place?

Its only a remote possibility that you will mess things up by making test calls/texts but you can cause a short delay by using things. (For example, you can't change the routing when a call is in progress) Its just advice given if you want to be ultra cautious.

What should happen is that both SIMs go off, a short time later the new SIM will come back on and when all services are working you will receive a text to say the port has completed and you are ready to go. Sometimes it takes longer and of you haven't received the text by the end of the working day. I would call to find out.