Swapping to Sim only question

billycasper_2

Hi

I have come to the end of a two year iPhone deal on Vodafone and now I'm looking to go sim only. My question relates to the process of swapping sims but with the same network.
As I understand it if I find a deal with another network I can request a code to keep my number 
that's fine
but,
there are some deals through third party retailers such as mobile.co.uk that are with Vodafone. How do I keep the same number? do I just ring them up after I've received the sim? or still request a code ? I want to get the process right so I can keep my number

many thanks

flaneurs_lobster

Have a look at this previous thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78777205#Comment_78777205

billycasper_2

wow 
so bloody complicated

flaneurs_lobster

billycasper_2 said:

wow 
so bloody complicated

Yes, it's almost like the big Telco's would rather you didn't make use of all those great discounts available to "new" customers via the resellers. 

It's a pain but (touch wood) I've been swapping out'n'in with Vodafone annually for the last 3 contracts with no problems. Upside is obviously cost (full fat Vodafone 100GB £8/mth) but downside is the hassle and the dread that PACing a phone number you've had for > 20 years, twice, brings). 

sevenhills

I got a SIM in the post through Lebara, which is on the Vodafone network.
When I am ready to leave my previous network I will send them a text asking for the PAC code.

matelodave

To keep your mobile number and transfer it to another network or provider, you need to request what's called a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your old provider and then give the code to your new provider so they can schedule the switch.

That's exactly what I did when I changed from THREE to Smarty (who use the THREE network).

The only time you'd need to muck about with temporarily porting to an intermediate provider or network is when you are trying to change deals that are using the same provider - eg Vodafone to Vodafone, or THREE to THREE. Not when changing from provider to another provider even if they are using the same network, like from VF to Lebara or THREE to Smarty

savergrant

matelodave said:

To keep your mobile number and transfer it to another network or provider, you need to request what's called a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) from your old provider and then give the code to your new provider so they can schedule the switch.

That's exactly what I did when I changed from THREE to Smarty (who use the THREE network).

The only time you'd need to muck about with temporarily porting to an intermediate provider or network is when you are trying to change deals that are using the same provider - eg Vodafone to Vodafone, or THREE to THREE. Not when changing from provider to another provider even if they are using the same network, like from VF to Lebara or THREE to Smarty

Op is with Vodafone and wants a new deal on Vodafone.

savergrant

From the title of the thread I take it you are out of contract and so finished paying for your handset.
If you have seen a deal you like with them it might be worth giving them a call, either ask direct if they can move you onto it, or blag a competitor has offered me....
Ask for a pac and keep it up your sleeve. If you don't use it it just expires.
If they don't give you an acceptable offer then you order a temp payg sim and double port, or just go for the next best offer.
The main issue with porting is downtime, but not usually more than a few mins. Ideally use a dual sim phone then you won't need to keep watch for sim 1 being disconnected.

billycasper_2

Thank you for the replies.

Vodafone were pretty poor on the phone.
couldn't offer me anything close to what was on offer in the real world. going through them was the least hassle but the deals were poor
looking around I saw an o2 deal too good to turn down so ordered that sim.
I'll get the pac sorted once I've received the sim.

thanks again

Alderbank

Porting used to be fiddly because telecoms liked it to be awkward so you would stay but since Ofcom cracked the whip it is now really easy and you should have no problems.
However be aware that network coverage from different providers is not equal. Depending on where you live or how you use your phone, O2 signal might not be as good as Voda. There are many places where O2 is much worse than Voda.
For that reason some people try out a cheap monthly sim to see whether a different network will suit their needs. To test O2, you can try a Lycamobile sim for £1. If you don't like it you are not tied into a lengthy contract.