Virgin pac code problems, possible fix

Stangi

After getting many 'technical difficulties' messages when trying to get a pac code from Virgin mobile via the text method, I ended up ringing them on 789. It was like pulling teeth. I had to insist that the lady told me why I could not get a pac code. It turned out that the fact they'd sent me a new (unasked for) sim, meant I had a 'pending order' showing on my account, even though I'd never received said sim card. This prevented generation of a pac code. I had to insist again that this was remedied and she cancelled that new sim card, clearing my account of pending stuff. She was then able to tell me my pac code, which had one different digit from the code subsequently texted to me. I then had to ring them again to find out which one was correct! Texted code was the right one. Gave this to Vodafone (who actually have some UK callcentres) and my number was ported successfully on the appointed day. My old sony walkman phone circa 2007 would have never worked on Virgin's new sim anyway, it never would on any of the new sims they sent me over the years, I was still on the original one, and as Virgin are changing provider they piggyback on, I would have lost service very soon. Apparently, any phones older than 2016 could experience problems with Virgin's new sims. Glad to be rid of Virginmobile and am now only paying £6 a month for what I want, a basics sim with Vodafone. I thought this info might be useful to anyone else trying to leave Virgin and getting nowhere with the texted pac code method. All Virgin mobile customers will have a 'pending order' showing on their account if they've not installed the new sim, (all their customers are getting one due to virgin changing network they piggy back on) and this will block generation of pac code. Sorry this is long winded but it might help someone. 

SuperAllyB

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

sdduk

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

d123

sdduk said:

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

It's Vodafone.

https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/new-mvno-virgin-media/

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/virgin-media-announces-switch-to-vodafone-mobile-network-what-does-it-mean-for-you/

Supatramp

d123 said:

sdduk said:

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

It's Vodafone.

https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/new-mvno-virgin-media/

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/virgin-media-announces-switch-to-vodafone-mobile-network-what-does-it-mean-for-you/

Your quotes are old news, it IS O2 that Virgin is merging with!!

PHK

d123 said:

sdduk said:

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

It's Vodafone.

https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/new-mvno-virgin-media/

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/virgin-media-announces-switch-to-vodafone-mobile-network-what-does-it-mean-for-you/

That’sa bit behind the times. 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/07/virgin-media-and-o2-owners-confirm-31bn-mega-merger-in-uk

d123

PHK said:

d123 said:

sdduk said:

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

It's Vodafone.

https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/new-mvno-virgin-media/

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/virgin-media-announces-switch-to-vodafone-mobile-network-what-does-it-mean-for-you/

That’sa bit behind the times. 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/07/virgin-media-and-o2-owners-confirm-31bn-mega-merger-in-uk

Current situation is Virgin Mobile have signed a 5 year contract with Vodafone which is in progress (customers with 5G handsets are already in process of being transferred from what I remember of the most recent update), if you read your own link you'll note the Telefonica/Liberty deal is still not complete (or approved by the regulatory authorities).

If it goes through, there's going to be a bit of a mess for Virgin Mobile customers whilst it is resolved.

ToomanyPies

I'm so glad I read this. I was considering switching to Virgin Mobile in order to remain on the EE network. EE coverage is fine for me but too expensive.

japitts

ToomanyPies said:

I'm so glad I read this. I was considering switching to Virgin Mobile in order to remain on the EE network. EE coverage is fine for me but too expensive.

Just make sure you're not benefitting from EE's extended-range coverage (800Mhz). Move to any of the low-cost piggyback operators and you'll lose access to that.

Unfortunately, the risk of being moved between networks (admittedly such things tend to be high-profile and rare) is something that is an inherent risk with using an MVNO.

sdduk

d123 said:

sdduk said:

SuperAllyB said:

I thought Virgin were moving to piggyback on Vodafone which would render your reasons pointless?  Still a useful workaround to know about though.

Its O2 not Vodafone Virgin are going to piggyback off next year if all goes well.

It's Vodafone.

https://newscentre.vodafone.co.uk/press-release/new-mvno-virgin-media/

https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/11/virgin-media-announces-switch-to-vodafone-mobile-network-what-does-it-mean-for-you/

Confussed by looking about the vodafone deal was last year Nov 2019 the link i just put on here its from May 2020 so don't know whos telling the truth because what i am reading they are going to O2 and backed out of the Voda deal.
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/what-does-the-o2-and-virgin-media-merger-mean-for-you-a4434951.html