Can I retain no. if iD to iD but via MobilesdotCodotUK?

nottsphil

I've just started the second month of a 1-month SIM only contract direct with ID, but their upgrade offerings just weren't as good as  the new 12 months SIM I have ordered from Mobiles.co.uk. It should arrive on Tuesday but I haven't given any notice or applied for PAC yet. I don't mind the number going onto a PAYG SIM (if that's even possible) for a few weeks. Thanks for reading.

flaneurs_lobster

It's not clear from your post but is the issue that you want to transfer your number from an iD SIM to another iD SIM? 

EDIT : Sorry, didn't read the post title properly.

Port it to the cheapest SIM you can find, probably one of the rolling month deals from Lebara or Lyca. Pray that it works OK because neither of these operators are famed for their CS. Once the number has moved OK (check all functionality, voice in and out, SMS in and out, data). Give it a day then port to your new iD SIM. 

Try to avoid porting over a weekend, so to do a full swap will probably take 10 days-ish.

nottsphil

Thanks. Is there a period inbetween using the PAC and cessation of billing?
I have Asda and Three PAYG SIMS still operating, so can't I port via these?
It's probably irrelevant but I also have an unused SIM that iD insisted I should have when I upgraded to the one month contract from an annual one. 

flaneurs_lobster

You can use an existing active PAYG SIM, just try to run down the credit to the bare minimum needed to run it for the period it's hosting your main number. 

If 1-month contracts are the same as expired PAYM ones then charging will cease when the PAC is actioned by the recipient operator, billing might take a month or so to bill/refund on the old account. Don't cancel any direct debits.

Mobile companies often send out new SIMs when contracts are changed, it's in case any new phone needs a different SIM from the old one. It'll be of no use unless you were to swap your existing number to it (which you don't want to do). Put it in a drawer and forget it.

nottsphil

What will happen if I enter the PAC here on my new ID account? If rejected, can I still use the same PAC on one of my pay as you go SIMs? 

eDicky

The PAC can only be used for porting your number to a different network, not to the same one.

nottsphil

I daren't quote that otherwise I risk being locked out of my own thread but you'll know to whom I am talking as I quote this advice you gave me a few months ago:
You can forget about giving notice, just request and obtain your PAC from ID. Using it within 30 days will terminate the ID service Immediately and any unused paid-for period will be credited.
So iD won't penalise me at all for defecting to a different provider, but by choosing an iD deal on Mobiles.co.uk that they denied me when presenting my upgrade options, I have to pay for a month's duplicated service (£15 for nothing). It's clearly stated here in my current contract's terms

flaneurs_lobster

If you want to stop being charged for iD service number one then submit the PAC to one of your PAYG operators. Charging stops when it's activated. You'll be refunded for any part of the month you've pre-paid for but not used.

You decided to start up a second service before quitting the first, why are you surprised that you have to pay for both?

Doing this "triangular swap" dance is something that many people (me) do every year to get the best deal on our preferred network. Think I'm on year 4 of swapping. 

savergrant

nottsphil said:

Thanks. Is there a period inbetween using the PAC and cessation of billing?
I have Asda and Three PAYG SIMS still operating, so can't I port via these?
It's probably irrelevant but I also have an unused SIM that iD insisted I should have when I upgraded to the one month contract from an annual one. 

Once you port a number away from a service that service stops. So if you port your number to your asda sim then to a new id mobile your asda account will be closed and your credit lost. So it is usually better to order a fresh sim just for the purpose. One that has a decent online account is a plus, it makes it easier to port in and out with no credit.

savergrant

nottsphil said:

I daren't quote that otherwise I risk being locked out of my own thread but you'll know to whom I am talking as I quote this advice you gave me a few months ago:
You can forget about giving notice, just request and obtain your PAC from ID. Using it within 30 days will terminate the ID service Immediately and any unused paid-for period will be credited.
So iD won't penalise me at all for defecting to a different provider, but by choosing an iD deal on Mobiles.co.uk that they denied me when presenting my upgrade options, I have to pay for a month's duplicated service (£15 for nothing). It's clearly stated here in my current contract's terms

Lots of people have more than one phone/contract. When you signed up for a new one they don't know you want to quit your existing one. Requesting a pac means 'i want to take my number to another network' and implies 'I don't want to be on your network any more'
If you don't want to pay for two contracts either;
Tell them you want a better deal
Or
Leave and then rejoin as a new customer.

The beauty of requesting a pac by text or online account is you can leave without hassle and keep using the same number.

If you cancel your plan without switching to a new provider your number will be recycled.

savergrant

I would assume that the advice you were given relates to prepayment for a month's service after the minimum contract period. If you are within your minimum term you will be charged a cancellation fee, which may be the full amount. However as I understand it the pac will still go through within two or three days of giving it to a new provider.