Transferring number to same network as a 'new customer'

flashnazia

Can this be done?

I've been with three for years but want to take advantage of the top cashback deal (new customers only). If I take the new deal will I be able to transfer my number to the new deal?

Someone I know took a new deal, transferred to another network payg and then went back to three. I wonder if this is really necessary?

I really don't want to lose my number!

spiro

You need to port the number to a PAYG sim for a month or so and then you can go back to 3 as a new customer. Suggest you need to check what they define a new customer as being.

Buzby

Further, some networks will not allow any number port after the contract is taken out, preventing the loophole described above. This means you will be stuck with your fave number on a different SIM.

If the money is important - go for it, but be prepared for the trick to fail as it is there for a reason (new customer acquisition).

grumbler

Buzby wrote: »

Further, some networks will not allow any number port after the contract is taken out

Any facts to back this statement? Vodafone and O2 do this even without porting out and back in. They just transfer a number from PAYG to a new contract. Orange reportedly do this too if you are lucky. So the only network left is '3', but I've never heard of any problems with porting out/in at '3'.

Talkmobile don't allow porting "after", but they do allow porting at the time of buying and this is a technical issue, not for "preventing the loophole".

Buzby

Certainly - I can offer a consultancy if you pay the appropriate fee.

I am referring to the process of establishing a contract with one number, then attempting to change the allocated number to one that is migrated. This would have to be done at the contract inception (assuming it would be allowed on the promotion being taken).

grumbler

Buzby wrote: »

Certainly - I can offer a consultancy if you pay the appropriate fee.

You'd better stop offering your free, but unsubstantiated and incorrect 'consultancy'.

I am referring to the process of establishing a contract with one number, then attempting to change the allocated number to one that is migrated. This would have to be done at the contract inception

Really? As I said, AFAIK Talkmobile is the only network with such requirement. All other networks allow doing this later and really do.

(assuming it would be allowed on the promotion being taken).

More correct is to assume that everything is allowed that is not explicitly disallowed. And you are the first to mention the word 'promotion' in this thread.

Yes, in theory many deals are offered to 'new' customers. However, in practice this works for any new contract and there wasn't a single report here about any problems experienced by an existing PAYG customer getting Pay Monthly deal as a new one (usually through a third party). Neither was a single report from a customer who recently left the network and rejoined as a new customer.
And there were hundreds of customers, that successfully joined as new customers and managed to transfer/port there old number to a new contract. I have done this several times with various networks, although I've never been with '3'.

flashnazia

Thanks for the help. I've requested a PAC (took me ages!) and will move to payg on another network and then my partner will open a new one via tcb to get the new customer deal. Hopefully it will still be around in a month.

That's the plan anyway!

diamonds

You can PAC in at any point on a contract the rules do not say at start of a contract, any refusal should be reported to Ofcom as a complaint.

If you are getting harrassed on your mobile, it is easier & quicker to PAC in a new number than deal with police, obtain a police Crime Ref Number then await your network to change a mobile number.

You also have control of what number you get with every network except Orange as they do not allocate sims with numbers until you call to activate a unused payg Orange sim. So choose your new sim/number get a PAC (no signal at home excuse) and take it to whatever service provider you wish.

grumbler

Could you quote some Ofcom regulations to prove that it's really the case? I mean 'any point'.
I'll be surprised if you can, but I'll be happy to stand corrected.

diamonds

Call them, I had same issue with a Vodafone PAC in years ago, the reseller would not do it as I HAD to keep the allocated number (to get the sales commission), Vodafone said they could only do it at contract commencement and the reseller was at fault.

Ofcom smacked both parties bum. It was Vodafone enforcing both to save on termination charges/call re-routing Ofcom staff told me. That was the start of the issues, I was sold a "plan" that did not exist, Vodafone refused to hold the reseller to account as they had misinformed the reseller, Voda refused to cancel a/c & EVEN paid the sales commission to reseller !!!!

Needless to say I would not touch Voda or thier 3rd party call centres again, bunch of hopeless idiots.

RED sim these days, oh yeah I was RED in my face with anger, with unlimited frustration never mind mins & texts !!

grumbler

Well, you failed to surprise me.