Another PAC code/notice period question

Jabba_flabba

I am at the beginning of transferring my mobile phone number from T-Mobile to giffgaff.

The minimum term on my 12 month T-Mobile contract finished back in July and I am now on a 30 day pay monthly contract. My billing date is the 5th of the month. Today I phoned T-Mobile and requested my PAC code and was promptly issued it. The impression I got from this first call was that the 30 day notice period only comes into effect when I use the PAC code to move my number to giffgaff. I was also told the optimum date for using my PAC code would be 28 August. Later on, having read a bit more on the forums about this, and having been alarmed by the number of people being charged for early cancellation, I phoned up again to seek clarity. The woman I spoke to the second time indicated that the notice period started on the date I requested the PAC code (today) and that my contract will run to 8 September (30 days from now), assuming that I use the PAC code within 30 days - and that the optimal date for using the PAC code would be 2 working days before its expiry date (so probably 5 September).

Does this ring true with others' understanding of PAC codes and notice periods for transferring from T-Mobile?

Thanks.

DUTR

You agreed to give at least 30 days notice, I don't know if that is calender or working days.

earthstorm

DUTR wrote: »

You agreed to give at least 30 days notice, I don't know if that is calender or working days.

Its usually 30 consecutive days.

Jabba_flabba

Let me reframe my question:

Day 1: Phone up to request PAC code - PAC code supplied
Day 28: Use PAC code to initiate transfer to giffgaff
Day 30: Contract ends and giffgaff service begins

Day 1 PAC code request/supply: does this constitute the first day of serving 30 day notice? T-Mobile woman no. 2 indicated yes. I am quite content paying bills from day 1 - day 30, but if 30 days notice only starts on day 28, as T-Mobile woman no. 1 alluded to, well then I'm not very happy.

Day 28 Use PAC code: if using my PAC code on day 28 constitutes early cancellation and attracts a charge, I'm not happy either. I can totally see how it would; giving T-Mobile their 30 days notice AND using the PAC code within its expiry period are mutually exclusive, since using the PAC code is effectively cancelling within the 30 day notice period.

Please do correct me if my understanding is wrong.

Jabba_flabba

User dave_dph sent me some info which I'll summarise here. Dave's post was blocked and so he PM'd me the information. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to PM him back to say thanks - so if you see this Dave, thanks!

By the sounds of it, there's another aspect to this that until now I didn't know about:

• PAC submission date - the date the customer submits the PAC to the new provider
• transfer date - date new provider transfers the number, and is schedulable.

From what Dave said it sounds like:

• the PAC submission date has to be within the 30 days expiry period of the PAC, but that;
• the transfer date can actually fall on a date after the PAC expiry period, and this is the date the old provider takes as being the date of termination.

The wikipedia page states that the transfer date can be between 1 and 32 days from the issue date, but I can't find a source for that.

Buzby

The issue of PAC numbers has been needlessly complicated by the networks - and I do not believe this is by accident. Your contractual obligation is to give 30 days notice of termination. Period.

Networks may imply that a PAC is some differing route to termination, but it is not. Orange (for one) are amous for suggesting that requesting a PAC starts (or restarts) the notice period. In he latter case this is nonsense - but you may have to fight your corner using their T&C's t support your stance.

Their argument that they are 'protecting' your number (from loss) has a certain validity, but I comes at a cost to the customer as they cannot safely port without incurring anything from 2-30 days of an early termination charge - as the billing system is designed to charge when the port takes place, NOT when you gave notice.

Providing you keep you wits about you, there is nothing to prevent you giving notice of departure - preferably in writing. At day 25 ask for your PAC, which starts the 30 day limit to move. At day 28-9 you give the PAC to the new network and ai got services to switch. The caveat is you must ensure you port before the 30 days are up or you will lose the number.

Your written request to cancel cannot be countermanded by any PAC request, as this will take precedence.

spacey2012

Contract law on service contracts states you are liable for the minimum period of the contract plus any notice period which must not be more than one full calender month or 30 days which ever is greater.
Once you have given them notice and the minimum term had expired your are no longer contracted to them, they can like it or lump it, you can cancel any payment or debits after the expiry period .