The rules of porting (attempting Orange->O2->Orange)

comdw

Like many on this board, I've taken out a new contract with Orange thru OSPS, but as an existing Orange customer I couldn't keep my number without porting out to another network and then back to Oranage later.

My number port from my old Orange phone to an O2 PAYG free sim card completed on Monday. Yesterday I tried to get a PAC code from O2 - this turned out to be harder than I thought...

First I tried contacting them online. I got an email back saying "you need to call this number: 0906...". Luckily I managed to find a landline alternative thanks to the saynoto0870 website, if I hadn't this next bit would have cost me alot of money for no gain...

I rang them up and asked for a PAC code. After taking my mobile number they wanted to ask a few security questions:

O2: When did you last top-up?
Me: I haven't ever topped up.
O2: When did you last call someone from the phone?
Me: I don't have any credit, can't call anyone!
O2: errr..

So after putting me on hold for a few minutes they come back and say that I can't port out until I've been with them for 30 days. IS THIS TRUE?

I was also told the minimum topup amount is £10 which would be a waste of money for me as the new phone has free minutes.

Where can I find the actual rules on porting? I thought I read somewhere on here that I wouldn't be able to port back to Orange until my original Orange PAC code has expired, is that true also? Has anybody done this recently and managed to achieve it in less than 2 weeks?

Does anyone know how long will Orange allow me to be on my new contract before they won't accept a PAC code from another network anymore?

Also I'm still concerned about how they are going to verify my identity for when I am allowed to get the PAC off them...

Woby_Tide

your Orange PAC has expired now as you have left and completed the port. For sake of ease I would put £10 on the O2 Sim, make a call, then request the PAC, if they sya it's 30 days then you may be able to twist their arm(though if you don't top up or even use the sim to make a call you probably won't bea ble to twist their arms at all). As for verifying identity surely when you ported your number in to O2 you went through various registering of your details on to the account. you can also request a PAC code online I think from within the O2 online account stuff so can do it there if need be. You can PAC into Orange at anythime within your contract I think, tehy are one of the few who allow you to do it.

comdw

Oh well I was hoping the whole process was going to be free. If only you could get text messages diverted like you can phone calls (although possibly not on PAYG), then it might make the £10 worth it so I don't have to carry two phones.

I tried to request the PAC through the My Account section of the website and it would only let you port in with a PAC code or request to be moved to a different O2 service plan.

Genie

You should have got a £5 sim from Virgin as I did, then port your old orange number to that, which takes 7 days, then, as I did phoned virgin 2 days after porting to them for a pac code and called orange to tranfer to them, which takes another 7 days, but in that time you can use your £5 virgin credit. So £5 was worth it for me.

comdw

Well i'll know next time to use Virgin. Its just that I had an O2 sim card lying around. Just wondered if anyone else had used O2 to do this and what their experience was...

Vinnie

@ comdw

I'm in the same boat as you unfortunately.

Although I was planning on going 3 > 02 > 3.

The transfer happened last Tuesday form 3 > o2 and o2 fecked up and only was able to receive calls yesterday. The 'contact us' option is waste of time, sent 7 emails through this service and got no joy. Ended up getting through on a landline by phoning the complaints department and the put me through to what should have been the 50p / min line. Sim was then activated within an hour.

As for getting my new PAC code to bring bact to 3, I had the same reply

In response to your email we would like to inform you that in order to obtain your PAC code for your current mobile number that you wish to keep you will need to dial 0906 3024445 where one of our dedicated advisors will be able to offer further assistance.

I'm gonna look for that website you mentioned and rine them back, I'll let you know what happens.....

comdw

The 0906 equivalent landline number for PAYGO customer services is:

01274 388261.

I'm sure if we had the ofcom porting regulations to hand we could get our PAC codes as we aren't under any contractural obligation to O2. Right?

Vinnie

@ comdw


Thanks for the number, got through straight away and after a few questions I have now got my PAC code .

The operator was nice and asked me when I activated the sim and any calls I had made, when I topped the sim up, and why I wanted to leave.

I had made calls on the sim even though I didn't top it up, I was just checking what would happen. She asked me to confirm the numbers for security reasons to make sure I actually had the sim.

She asked me what comapny I was going to and told her 3, she asked if I knew whether the service was any good in my area.

It helped me a bit when I said I had received poor service with the number port and had lost business when for 7 days no one could contact me on that number.

You are entitled to your PAC code as there is an ofcom regulation stating this, although some comapnies may charge (Singlepoint).

Make a few calls on the sim and try it again.

Good luck

comdw

Vinnie, what numbers can you call without topping up?

Vinnie

Any, I just got put through to the top-up line each time.

Thats why I was confused when she asked me what calls I had made, as I thought I hadn't mage any successful calls!! All I did was ring a few personal numbers. The numbers were stored in my phones history lucky enough, so I could quote the date, time and number.

There records had the numbers stored that I had dialled, even though I didn't get as far as making the connections.

Aslo, I cant see a problem if you don't put credit on the sim as they surely make money on the calls you recieve on that number anyway..........