Switching mobile supplier - what is the process?

chib

I've always been tied to a mobile contract with a subsidised phone and decided that handset costs are getting out of control, enough is enough. I'm happy with the handset I have and plan to hang onto that and switch to a sim only deal.

I'll be able to give my 30 days notice next Saturday but unsure of the process. Do I give notice and ask for a PAC code at the same time? Once I've got the code, do I simply give that to the SIM only provider and my number transfers over?

Can I do it the same day I give 30 days notice, meaning I'd be paying my current provider for no service? Ideally I'd do it within the final week of my 30 day notice if that is possible.

Interested in feedback from those who have done it themselves.

eDicky

You have thirty days to use the PAC, so doing it in the final days will utilise more of the last month's service that you have to pay for.

Obtaining and using your PAC cancels and terminates your service, that's all you need to do. If you don't use it within the thirty days your contract will continue as before.

It's best to ask for your PAC before signing up with a new provider, because your current network may offer you an equivalent or better SIM-only deal than what you have found elsewhere, in order to retain your custom.

chib

Excellent, as I suspected. Thank you!

AndyPK

your phone maybe locked to the network.

Who are you currently with ?

chib

The phone they issued me at the start of the contract was unlocked (Three haven't network locked their handsets since 2014, maybe earlier) but I gave that to a family member and bought a OnePlus 5 when they launched last June. I don't think phones have advanced enough to warrant changing handsets at this time.

Just need to pick a deal, lots of good SIM-Only offers out there but I'll wait and see if Three offer me a good one when I give my notice. I'm very attracted to 30 day rolling plans to allow flexibility.

mobilejunkie

You don't give notice and request a PAC. The latter would cancel the former. The PAC then expires if not exercised within 30 days and the contract would then continue until you do one or the other.

AndyPK

there aren't many "30 day rolling plans " anymore.
Most tie you in for 12 months.


plusnet still does them, and no doubt your beloved 3

mobilejunkie

AndyPK wrote: »

there aren't many "30 day rolling plans " anymore.
Most tie you in for 12 months.


plusnet still does them, and no doubt your beloved 3

That sounded very doubtful, so I looked on CPW's site and found quite a few:-

https://www.carphonewarehouse.com/sim-only/pay-monthly.html/?cid=PAIDSEARCH_Google_B%20-%20Brand%20Core%20-%20Misspellings%20-%20E%20-%20RLSA_Misspellings%20-%20Carphone%20Warehouse%20-%20E%20-%20RLSA_car%20phone%20warehouse_43700029686822386&gclid=CMDS5N7Ww9kCFUTmGwodqNYBJA&gclsrc=ds#!/t_contract_length/1/sort/relevance

chib

I've found pages of 30 day plans - something like that sounds great. I'll call up Three this weekend, get a PAC and give it to my new provider 2-3 weeks later leaving a week for delayed SIM and migration. Thanks!

AndyPK

mobilejunkie wrote: »

That sounded very doubtful, so I looked on CPW's site and found quite a few:-

You quite often see complaints on here, where by someone selected a VM deal from CPW and Virgin can honour and it turns into much unhappiness.

Maybe CPW are listing old deals?


Some deals

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/

mobilejunkie

No. I checked when I read your post. Had thought what you wrote was most unlikely and took little time or effort to confirm that it is incorrect.