PAC Code

smk77

Do mobile phone companies have to provide PAC codes regardless of the state of a current contract? My sister has 2 months left on her Vodafone contract but wants to move the number to a O2 PAYG SIM (300 texts for £10) card now. It'll be cheaper for her to pay the outstanding 2 months contact AND the O2 top up cards because her current bill is higher than the cost of the contract and the top ups.

Thanks!

apples1

I wanted to do that 18 months ago when I was trying to escape one provider for a better deal. At the time I was led to believe it would be no problem. it was only at 11th hour Carphone Warehouse told me that I'd lose my number. By then I was so far through the process I begrudgingly gave up my number. It was a real hassle to me to change numbers so this time I am being very careful....

I am currently in the process of switching from Virgin to T mobile as my 18 month contract with Virgin ends of 19 March. I know for a fact that Virgin will not even start the process of providing me with my PAC code until the day my contact with them ends. I have just got my new phone with T mobile & have already written to Virgin to give them the 1 month notice they require that I am leaving so when my contact ends on 19 March I am free. However they will not even request the PAC code until 19 March - it then takes 2 working days to get it to me. There was no way round this.

miketrim

Im in my last month of contract with O2 and they have issued me a PAC code for my transfer to t-mobile. The transfer of the number is due to go through tomorrow.

doublekite

I have cancelled my 3 contract (now expires 9 March) and they will now not give me a PAC code unless I pay for 30 days line rental from the date of the request. Is this right?

Anarchist

Your maths must be wrong somehow, I cannot see how it can possibly be cheaper for you.

Anyway, if you pay the last two months line rental, they will give you the PAC usually within the hour. Alternatively, ask them to move your tariff onto a more suitable tariff for the last two months and then cancel after that.

mrsbudget

doublekite wrote:

I have cancelled my 3 contract (now expires 9 March) and they will now not give me a PAC code unless I pay for 30 days line rental from the date of the request. Is this right?[/QUOTE

Yes, I think because you still need to pay until the 9 March (9Feb-9March) that will be your last bill,,I think!!!!

MickKnipfler

I think it's all explained on the Ofcom website from memory. If you're in the last month of your contract then you are entitled to a PAC. If it's before that then you must settle your "obligation period".

smk77

Anarchist wrote:

Your maths must be wrong somehow, I cannot see how it can possibly be cheaper for you.

Anyway, if you pay the last two months line rental, they will give you the PAC usually within the hour. Alternatively, ask them to move your tariff onto a more suitable tariff for the last two months and then cancel after that.

My maths is wrong?? Just because you don't see how it can be cheaper doesn't mean that I am wrong.

My sisters bill comes in each month at £X. This is made up from £Y in contract charge and £Z in calls & texts. If £Z > £10 then assuming that she makes no more than £10 in calls (which she doesn't) then it's cheaper to get a £10 O2 SIM card.

Put it simply. If her contract at the moment is £20 with no free texts and she's sending 300 texts a month then she'll be paying £50 a month. By using an o2 SIM card with 300 FREE texts for £10 then she'll pay £20 + £10 so £30 a month. Therefore a saving of £20 a month.

apples1

MickKnipfler wrote:

I think it's all explained on the Ofcom website from memory. If you're in the last month of your contract then you are entitled to a PAC. If it's before that then you must settle your "obligation period".

I will look into that then as on that basis Virgin should give me my PAC code now shouldn't they?

apples1

I have scoured the Ofcom website and cannot find and mention of this. I have therefore just phoned Ofcom. The chap I spoke to knew nothing & it was like talking to a Robot as he read every answer from a script! After being on hold a few times for ages I was eventually told that...

The networks have to provide the PAC code within 2 working days of it being requested.

He had no idea about whether than applied if you were still in contract (even in the last month of contract) and eventually after a long time on hold he came back and said most providers have written into their terms and conditions that they will not provide the PAC code until the end of the contract.

So that's that then : (

MickKnipfler

I believe that's crap. If you pm me your email address, I'll send you the Ofcom document.

There are very strict conditions for refusing a PAC code.