Switching network - have I left it too late?

IM

We are off to Spain first thing on Thursday morning - and far too late in the day, I realised that my current provider (Three) charges for roaming.

Taking this as the trigger to finally get around to getting a better deal than I'm on - and avoid roaming charges - I ordered a new SIM from Lebara last Friday.

It's not arrived yet though, and even if it comes tomorrow (Wednesday) I won't be at home until 5:00-ish. 

Am I best sucking it up, buying a roaming bundle from Three, and waiting to get a PAC code/enable the Lebara SIM until I get home from Spain - or can the transfer process happen whilst I'm out of the country?

400ixl

The new card will come with its own phone number and will work without a PAC.

Are you going to be wanting to take calls from the UK whilst away and from anyone or just a small group. If it is a small group then just give them the new temporary number.

If you have a dual sim phone you can put both sims in and set it to use the new sim for data and when you make calls you should be able to choose which sim to use and just choose the new one.

If you don't have a dual sim, then you could put the new sim in and take the calls on the new number.

You could perhaps put a forward on the old sim before you remove it but not sure if that avoids the roaming for incoming calls.

I don't believe the PAC swap can happen whilst you are not of the home networks of the sims, so I wouldn't initiate that if you are going to be outside the UK, unless anyone knows differently.

IM

400ixl said:

The new card will come with its own phone number and will work without a PAC.

Are you going to be wanting to take calls from the UK whilst away and from anyone or just a small group. If it is a small group then just give them the new temporary number.

If you have a dual sim phone you can put both sims in and set it to use the new sim for data and when you make calls you should be able to choose which sim to use and just choose the new one.

If you don't have a dual sim, then you could put the new sim in and take the calls on the new number.

You could perhaps put a forward on the old sim before you remove it but not sure if that avoids the roaming for incoming calls.

I don't believe the PAC swap can happen whilst you are not of the home networks of the sims, so I wouldn't initiate that if you are going to be outside the UK, unless anyone knows differently.

Yes, it occurred to me after I posted that my phone has two SIM slots, so I'll be able to use both in parallel, until I get home.

To be honest, I don't expect to have to make many voice calls - it's all about the data, really. 

J_B

My Lebara sim arrived on Monday morning - ordered it on Friday

Put it in my dual sim phone and it worked.

Fingers crossed that the same happens for you, then just turn off three data and carry on

(But you have to make a call to activate the sim)

400ixl

Sounds like you are sorted then.

Just make sure you configure the new sim to be the data sim and turn off any data roaming on the old one before you leave the UK.

savergrant

The only issue with going dual sim is that you will be paying for both networks, so at some point you may wish to change that. However it is nor a bad idea to have two sims in your phone while away as you probably don't know what your network coverage will be.
As regards to controlling which sim is used for data, on my Samsung you can select sim 1, sim 2, or off. You can also set limits for each. Just make sure you know which sim is in which slot!

400ixl

I believe the plan is for the OP to get the PAC and complete the transfer on return from holiday.

J_B

savergrant said:

The only issue with going dual sim is that you will be paying for both networks...........

My Lebara deal is 49ppm initially, so will keep it for 6 months come what may