Can I keep my mobile number ?

ZoomZoom-man

I want to take advantage of the mobile phone tariff offers but am reluctant to change providers as my phone number would change wouldnt it ? Does anyone know if this is not the case and I can go with whoever I want and still keep my number ?
Any advice please

rwgibson99

You're certainly supposed to be able to take your existing number with you.  Your existing provider releases the number, your new provider takes control of it, and you get your old number on your new network.

Things to bear in mind:
1) Most (if not all) telecoms systems aren't able to tell that your number has moved networks.  This means billing gets a little complicated, for both outgoing and incoming calls.  You might find http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=156241 this interesting reading.

2) Most special offers tend to discourage moving numbers around, presumably to keep the admin costs down.  

ZoomZoom-man

Cheers rwgibson. I thought that there might be a facility to do this but now you told me about the complications in admin I can see why all the store assistants tell me it cant be done and I will have to have a new number ....... lazy sounds like to me

Thanks

redfox

I changed providers in May (O2 to Virgin) and took my number with me - it all went fine in every way. All you need to do is ask your current provider for a PAC code and then give this to your new provider along with the phone number you wish to keep. New provider will give you a date on which it is to be transferred (usually within 7-10 days)

Go for it! ;D

nayur89

Hey,

I've transferred over many of my numbers in the past and its saved me a packet. I've found that most new contracts come with special offers for the first year, such as cashback schemes etc. But after the first year is over, your faced with the fact that your going to have to pay full line rental (Can try your luck at phoning customer services and mention your thinking of cancelling, they usually drop your line rental significantly). Ideally you would want to cancel the contract after a year, and take up another contract where you benefit from the special offers again, but as you mention, you may lose your number. NOT SO, as 'theredfox' mentions, allyou need to ask your current network provider for a PAC code which you pass over to the new network provider, while signing up. Very easy and staright forward. The only problem is that you can only transfer your number between different network providers, not back to the same provider. You can't cancel a contract with T-mobile, ask for a PAC code and then hope to use that PAC number on a new T-mobile contract. There is a loop hole to get around this, a tad long winded but depends how keen you are to keep your number and stay with the same network provider. Anyway this is my first post and it's looking like an essay already, if anyone wants more info, just ask.

Hope this helps.

rwgibson99

As I said, the intention from OFCOM was for the networks to allow number portability, hence the PAC convention.

However, this small print is from Vodafone's T&Cs:

Price is only available to customers taking a new mobile number and not available to customers who are transferring an existing mobile number from another service provider or network or upgrading an exisiting mobile number.

Like I said, there are offers, and there are special offers.  The operators will take advantage of the value you place on your number.

Harley'sMum

I'm trying to work out what to do with mine; I'd like to keep my number, but want to stop having a contract with Vodafone, and go for a pay as you go one instead. I also want to keep my existing handset (no point in paying for another one!). With all these criteria, can I get what I'm after? Also, do I have to get a new sim card? I'm not very up on all the options... Any advice appreciated!