iphone4 - how do I change provider

lonestarfan

My monthly iphone4 contract with Orange expired 2 days ago. I thought that meant I could use any provider for a sim card e.g. Tesco. Orange say not. I'm not familiar with this type of thing but think I have to get it unlocked. How do I do that legitimately and safely so I don't wreck the phone. Any ideas on how much it costs to do that so I can calculate if it will be paid for in savings with a new sim/company. Can I keep my number? For the time being I've swopped to a 30 day rolling contract with Orange for £15.50 pm. Thanks everyone.

grumbler

lonestarfan wrote: »

My monthly iphone4 contract with Orange expired 2 days ago. I thought that meant I could use any provider for a sim card e.g. Tesco. Orange say not. I'm not familiar with this type of thing but think I have to get it unlocked. How do I do that legitimately and safely so I don't wreck the phone.

Any ideas on how much it costs to do that so I can calculate if it will be paid for in savings with a new sim/company.

how do I get my phone unlocked?
how long will it take to unlock my phone?
how much will it cost to have my phone unlocked for use on another network?

Can I keep my number?

Yes. you get a PAC (porting authorisation code) from orange and give it to the new provider. It's active for 30 days.

For the time being I've swopped to a 30 day rolling contract with Orange for £10 pm.

Beware that this contract requires 30 days notice too, i.e. you pay for 30 days after requesting the PAC even if you port the number earlier.

lonestarfan

Thanks. Never thought to look at the Orange website! Also thanks for the warning about the 30 days - very helpful.

reclusive46

Ask for your PAC code and leave it a couple of days to see if retentions call you.

lonestarfan

reclusive46 wrote: »

Ask for your PAC code and leave it a couple of days to see if retentions call you.

That's interesting thank you. Having read the article on here re sim only deals for iphone 4 I'm thinking of going with GiffGaff sim only as thats £10pm for 250 mins, unlimited txts and unlimited data. Seems a v good deal.

Buzby

Check that you have good coverage on O2 before committing, as GG use this network. Incidentally, your contract most certainly did not 'expire'. Orange charge £20.00 to process an official unlock, but are taking up to 45 days to process it.

lonestarfan

O2 is fine in my area but thnx for the tip. 45 days is a bit mcuh to unlock so I'd better get that done asap. with 30 days notice etc for the rolling contract it'll be April 24 before I am off orange and on giffgaff.