Moving number within the same Network

Essex_Jim

Just come to the end of a contract with Orange. Having looked around got a very good deal with Buy Mobiles Direct again with Orange. I want to move my number to the new contract and have been told I can't do it Orange to Orange.

Is this correct?

Could I get a SIM card with another provider, moved the number and then move it back to Orange from there?

grumbler

YES to both questions.

'Another provider' main insist in topping up though: Moving my number from T-Mobile to T-Mobile!

DonnyDave

The "very good deal" probably comes about due to commission paid to the retailer by the operator for a new customer. If you could transfer your number then you wouldn't be a new customer.

tftftf

I will also be doing this in the next few weeks, but the process still confuses me a bit (having read the thread mentioned above).

I have read that Tesco PAYG SIMs do not require top up to activate, does anyone know if this is correct?

If so the current plan is:

• Request PAC from Tmobile (valid for 30 days))
• Order Free PAYG SIM from Tesco Mobile
• Activate Tesco Mobile SIM when it arrives
• After 21(?) days, order new TMobile Contract through 3rd party website (buymobilephones etc)
• When new phone arrives give Tesco the PAC from Tmobile, and start using new phone for outgoing calls/texts
• When number is ported to Tesco (2-3 days), put the Tesco SIM in an unlocked phone and use that phone for incoming calls/texts, while using the new Tmobile phone for outgoing calls/texts
• After 1 day (probably not necessary?) request PAC from Tesco, and give this to T-Mobile
• Wait for number to be transfered to new contract on T-Mobile (another 2-3 days?)
• Done!

Ordering the new contract on day 21 means there is a one week overlap in contracts, but I don't want to be stuck without a contract phone at some point in the process.

The timing does confuse me a little bit, does anyone have any recommendations?

I chose Tesco Mobile as it seems to allow top-up free activate, but understand that over providers may offer this too. Does anyone have any particularly good experiences with any networks offering free SIM activation?

grumbler

Personally I wouldn't abuse the system by staying just 1 day with Tesco. It's not that hard to spend a week or two with two phones, using the old one only for receiving calls.

My Tesco sim that I ported one of my old numbers to has never been topped up.