Moving from Vodafone to a MVNO that uses Vodafone

Pinkpyjama

Hi, my contract with VF is almost at an end. Although I get how to request and use a PAC, this time round some MVNO companies that share VF have some tempting deals. 
Are there any problems with using a PAC in these circumstances or is it best to look for a 'clean break' this time round and use a MNO or MVNO with a network other than VF?
I think I've read that some have had problems completing a full port and therefore risk losing their valued usual phone number.

flaneurs_lobster

Alternative to swapping away from VF is to upgrade via a third-party, good deals available (especially if you are willing to consider cashback by redemption).

https://www.mobiles.co.uk/vodafone-sim-only-deals-upgrades  and others

Pinkpyjama

Hi, thanks for your thoughts. I like VF but their strategy re roaming in the EU is not competitive right now I believe.
Will certainly check that out though. 
For the first time in a while I've bought a handset outright and am looking for a much shorter sim only deal.  Mainly to have a way out and more choice to protect against these hideous 3.9% vs rpi stich ups.

gizz_10

I ported from Voxi to Lebara who both use the VF network.  I have also ported from a VF network to non VF network as well in the last year.  The main difference I found was that when going from VF  to VF the port process takes longer and there was a window of several hours where I was without any service on my phone - from 7am till about 2pm.  Lebara said this was because VF has to do both sides of the port so they deactivate first and then reactivate.  By contrast if you go to a completely different network the port is instant and I was never without any service both times -in fact there was a period where both were active for a brief few minutes.

Pinkpyjama

Interesting thank you.
So based on your experience it's more the time issue as opposed to anything else?
I could live with that (just plan the day to fit around needing a signal)
That opens up my options a bit more for sure. 
Just hated the idea of only ending up with a partial service. Heard some tales where some were left with no ability to receive SMS's or (even worse) receive incoming calls. 

savergrant

There is always a low chance of a port not being completed correctly (probably due to hunan error) so it is advisable to arrange for the port to take place early in the week so there is time to get engineers to rectify any issues before finishing for the week.

datz

Regardless of what any provider tells you, you can PAC from any one to another. You already know that the Vodafone network meets your needs (signal/performance) and at the locations you use it in... so if you can find a package from one of the MVNOs that suits you (using the Vodafone network), then the service, on a technical level, should be very similar (usually the customer service aspect is sacrificed first).

As stated above, there's always a small chance of a port going wrong and, in extreme cases, this can result in a number being lost. It's not something that affects the vast majority of people though. For me, however, I gave up PACing my numbers a while ago and just keep them on traditional payg sims with a 'big' provider - using dual sim capabilities of most devices to chase the best/cheapest deals.

Pinkpyjama

Great insight, thank you. 
Now all I need to do is avoid long contracts for reasons already stated. 

simax

I bought sim free and used PAYG for a while but then used e2save and got myself a 12 month VF sim only for the equivalent of £7.67 a month via cash back with 100GB data. 

I wasn’t planning on committing to any contract length but that deal was too good to pass up. Going to Tenerife next month for a week so with the amount I’ve saved on the deal above I don’t mind paying £10 for the 8 day pass 👍🏻

flaneurs_lobster

simax said:

I bought sim free and used PAYG for a while but then used e2save and got myself a 12 month VF sim only for the equivalent of £7.67 a month via cash back with 100GB data. 

I wasn’t planning on committing to any contract length but that deal was too good to pass up. Going to Tenerife next month for a week so with the amount I’ve saved on the deal above I don’t mind paying £10 for the 8 day pass 👍🏻

I have the same deal. Worth pointing out that this is the full-on Vodafone "Red" tariff, not their "Essentials", throttled speed, no 5G version.

Pinkpyjama

Wow although the deal has tweaked somewhat since your post, with CB I can get what I already have (100gb) for 8.50pm .
VF after recent price increase is 40pm!
As long (as you say) there's no caveat re speeds (hate that) and have full 5G it's a no brainer to go with that. 
Thanks for the tip.
Do you get Very Me too and I guess once upgrade is complete, you just use your current log in for billing info?