Is Ken right about switching within same network

Abbey1991

Kenstechtips wrote:

Transferring Within The Same Network
A PAC Code is only used for transferring your phone number between two different mobile networks. If you’re staying on the same mobile network but simply changing to a different tariff, it isn’t necessary to go through the PAC Code process. Instead, simply call the customer services department of your current network and request a phone number transfer inside of the network. You’ll need to provide details of both of your accounts.

Is this right? My best friend told me that to go from one network back to the same network on a better deal, you have to port out to a different network on PAYG, and then port back.

Frozen_up_north

I've switched from PAYG to SIM only, and changed SIM only contracts, on Three without any issues. No need to switch out and back... After all, networks want to keep your business.

pmduk

Porting is essentially between one network and another. That said, some networks will let you transfer a number from one deal to another, it's entirely their choice and whether their systems are designed for the transaction.

Goldcrypto

Ken (kentechtips - gives best advice and clear summary) is correct from my experience, many years ago, when I had multiple accounts with orange (by far my worst network experience) and never needed to PAC out then back if with same network. Only time I did have to do that was when EE took over Orange and they transferred me across to an EE account. Despite been parent company they classed them as two different networks. So unless like that scenario, every other circumstance should not.

mobilejunkie

Abbey1991 wrote: »

Is this right? My best friend told me that to go from one network back to the same network on a better deal, you have to port out to a different network on PAYG, and then port back.

Usually you need to port out and back again. So-called upgrades avoid it but tie you into another contract. One network allowed me to move from contract to PAYG at its end, but not all do. Why don't you ask the network - they will actually know the answer in your case.

Anthorn

Abbey1991 wrote: »

Is this right? My best friend told me that to go from one network back to the same network on a better deal, you have to port out to a different network on PAYG, and then port back.

Depends on the network. For example on O2 to transfer your number from one O2 SIM to another O2 SIM you do a SIM Swap usually used when changing from PAYG to contract and vice versa. Same applies when changing SIM size due to getting a different phone.

Abbey1991

mobilejunkie wrote: »

Usually you need to port out and back again. So-called upgrades avoid it but tie you into another contract. One network allowed me to move from contract to PAYG at its end, but not all do. Why don't you ask the network - they will actually know the answer in your case.

They (Vodafone) told me that if I take out a new Vodafone contract, I would not be able to keep the same number.

mobilejunkie

That's probably an "upgrade".

eDicky

mobilejunkie wrote: »

That's probably an "upgrade".

But surely with an upgrade you keep your number..?

Sounds to me like Abbey has found a better deal with Vodafone than the one she is on, which would have its own (new) number. In which case the port out and back would be necessary, unless another call to CS produces a different answer.

mobilejunkie

eDicky wrote: »

But surely with an upgrade you keep your number..?.

Of course - which is why I wrote it in response to the preceding post.

isabellac

As far as I'm aware, it depends on the network. EE will not allow you to transfer your number directly within their network to make use of a new customer offer instead of upgrading, so you would need to port out and then back in again. Likewise with Vodafone. O2 however will allow you to take out a new contract and transfer your existing number across and cancel the old one directly.


If you're looking at staying with the same network but the new customer offer is cheaper, it might be worth getting onto customer retentions and seeing if they will match it