How to downgrade then cancel an Orange contract correctly

Clarissa88_2

Hi all,

I will be going abroad for at least 2 years this July, and currently hold an Orange Contract (24 month, ends Oct this year).

As I understand that you cannot port SIM cards out of the UK, I thought I may just ask for a PAC, pay the termination fee, and then port the number to another PAYG SIM card while I am still in the UK, therefore keeping my number.

Is there a 30-day notice period for cancelling my account (while in contract)?

Do I pay the termination fee while asking for the PAC, or after I used the PAC?

Will Orange charge me the entire monthly fee * remaining months, or are there any reductions?

Thanks!

grumbler

Clarissa88 wrote: »

Hi all,

I will be going abroad for at least 2 years this July, and currently hold an Orange Contract (24 month, ends Oct this year).

As I understand that you cannot port SIM cards out of the UK, I thought I may just ask for a PAC, pay the termination fee, and then port the number to another PAYG SIM card while I am still in the UK, therefore keeping my number.

Genereally, you can keep it with Orange by paying the termination fee and switching to PAYG. Beware, that almost everywhere you need to make a chargeable call or send a text at least once every 180 days to keep your PAYG sim alive.
PAYG sim with non expiring credit/back up sim wanted

Is there a 30-day notice period for cancelling my account (while in contract)?

30 days notice is needed after your minimum term expires. Before this you pay till the last day of the min term if you cancel.

Do I pay the termination fee while asking for the PAC, or after I used the PAC?

They are likely to ask to pay first. Ofcom says that they cannot refuse giving you PAC if you owe them, but is unwilling and incapable of enforcing their regulations.

Will Orange charge me the entire monthly fee * remaining months, or are there any reductions?

They are likely to apply 1/6 discount ('no VAT').

Clarissa88_2

Thanks Grumbler!

With regards to Martin's tip of 'downgrading' the contract, do I have to 'downgrade' for a month before asking for a termination?

E.g. My billing period is 3 June - 2 July and so on.
Do I have to be already 'downgraded', say on 15 June, to ask for a termination at the lower rate (say last day with Orange = 12 July)?

Or can I downgrade (which takes effect in the next bill date), then while still on the current rate ask for a termination? In this instance will it be on the current rate or on the downgraded rate?

Hope it makes sense my question. Thanks again!

grumbler

Clarissa88 wrote: »

With regards to Martin's tip of 'downgrading' the contract, do I have to 'downgrade' for a month before asking for a termination?

Yes, Martin's tip is pretty much outdated as most networks stopped allowing downgrading a long time ago. No harm in checking your T&C and asking though.

Make sure that they cancelled the contract and received and paid the final bill. If you stay on PAYG with Orange they normally sell you a replacement sim and you have to activate it. If you post the number to other network the contact is definitely terminated.