Porting number to different named contract holder

tasty_snacks

Is this feasible?

My pay monthly (and hence 'my' number) is contracted in my wife's name. Years and years ago when we were at uni, I couldn't get a contract mobile on account of my tendency to spend my overdraft on alcohol. And back then PAYG calls were around the 30p per minute mark! The other half kindly stepped into the breach and secured the contract in her name - and it has been ever since.

I now want to set-up the contract in my own name, if only to avoid the shenanigans of getting her to authorise me to speak to customer services etc.

It's with three currently, and I'm looking at the Samsung S2 deal with Tesco mobile. So, the question is, can I open the contract in my name, and port the number with the PAC code from the contract in my wife's name?

I can't see anything on OFCOM saying otherwise.

Much ta :beer:

grumbler

Generally both you can try transferring the entire contract from your wife's name to your name. Call the network and ask.

Failing that, usually it is not a problem to port a number like you suggest, but sometimes people experience problems when buying 'golden' numbers from e-bay this way.

And don't forget that it will cost you to port the number from a contract if the min term has not expired yet.

tasty_snacks

Thanks G. :beer:
The contract expires on 12th Feb so there'll be no breakage costs. For the same reason it might be a bit of a faff to call 3 and change the names over in time for contract expiry - but I will ask as suggested.

Cheers again.

EDIT - I've just Google'd 'golden numbers' as I'd no idea what you wre talking about. The result is hilarious! :rotfl:Really?!?!?

grumbler

Beware, that after the min term if you get a PAC and port the number in less than 30 days you'll pay for 30 days regardless.

tasty_snacks

grumbler wrote: »

Beware, that after the min term if you get a PAC and port the number in less than 30 days you'll pay for 30 days regardless.

Worth repeating.

The mechanics of switchovers (not only in mobiles, but all utilities) are bloody archaic in this regard. There should be a minimum 5 day period for completing the switch, enforced by the regulator.

reclusive46

grumbler wrote: »

Beware, that after the min term if you get a PAC and port the number in less than 30 days you'll pay for 30 days regardless.

That's not quite true. I didn't think that with O2.

grumbler

Well, I don't know how it is in practice with O2, but the theory is:

3.2 At the end of any Minimum Period this Agreement will continue until it’s ended by you or us in line with paragraph 8.2 below.
...
8.2 This Agreement can be ended by either you or by us giving at least 30 days’ Notice

reclusive46

grumbler wrote: »

Well, I don't know how it is in practice with O2, but the theory is:

I thought it would be like that but when I left them, they gave me my pac code and I payed for the 3 or 4 days I used in that month and that was all.

im-lost

reclusive46 wrote: »

I thought it would be like that but when I left them, they gave me my pac code and I payed for the 3 or 4 days I used in that month and that was all.

presumably because with most contracts you are paying a month in advance really. so when you come to cancel your 30 days 'notice' payment has effectively already been paid, you are then charged for the days that the advanced payment doesnt cover when you fall over in to a part of a month.

In theory you could time it correctly and not have a penny to pay when you cancel.