The PAC code process?

cubegame

Anyone care to clarify a few number porting questions. I'm with O2 at the moment in the 12th month of a contract.

Now I would like to stay with O2 if possible, however I don't think they'll play ball.

I'm currently in the final month of my contract and so could give the 30 days notice at any time.

However, as I understand I really need to wait for the 12 months to be up to get any chance of being offered an upgrade. Is that true?

Now if I do cancel (which I will do unless a free upgrade is tabled), what do I do?

Do I just give notice of cancellation and ask for the PAC code? If so, how long does it take? I assume they are obliged to provide it within the 30 days?

Reestit_Mutton

Anyone care to clarify a few number porting questions. I'm with O2 at the moment in the 12th month of a contract.

Now I would like to stay with O2 if possible, however I don't think they'll play ball.

I'm currently in the final month of my contract and so could give the 30 days notice at any time.

However, as I understand I really need to wait for the 12 months to be up to get any chance of being offered an upgrade. Is that true?

Now if I do cancel (which I will do unless a free upgrade is tabled), what do I do?

Do I just give notice of cancellation and ask for the PAC code? If so, how long does it take? I assume they are obliged to provide it within the 30 days?

IIRC, The network is obligated to provide teh PAC code within 5 days but you will only be penalised if it is used prior to the 12 months being up. Some networks might not be willing to entertain giving you the code early but it's worth asking in your last month as just the mere mention fo requesting teh PAC code often brings out their best offers to try and keep you.

Remember...if you don't use the code within a month of it being issued it will lapse with no net effect so it's probably best to ask for it half-way through your final month (assuming they'll give it to you at that point) so that you have a few weeks after your contract lapses to think of what deal to apply it to.

HtH
RM

Woby_Tide

They will give you the code whenever(they also state they will give you the code or a reason why not within 2 working days), I've just requested one in month 6, that said you have to get past the surliest customer service woman ever. I mean if their O2 coverage map says there is a good signal in that area you damn will be getting a good signal, who are you to tell them looking at your phone you don't get a good signal, their map is correct. !!!!!!. Glad I can leave.

cubegame

Well, I'm looking at the impressive offer on 3 VideoTalk 500 which comes to £10 a month rental at Phones4U.

So, what you're saying is I should phone them half way through this month (contract ends on 3rd Nov). Ok.

Do I have to give 30 days notice to get the PAC code? I would probably use it before the 30 days notice is up but outside the contract period.

Woby_Tide

if you already know what deal you are interested in you may aswell get the PAC now, he was suggesting to get it as late as possible to give you as much time to search out a deal if you hadn't already. You don't give notice on the PAC code technically but as you are in last month you can 'potentially' give them the 30 days notice by requesting PAC, if you don't use it you don't cancel. You also have to use it before 30 days as it expires and as process takes 7-10 days best to do it as early as possible as issuing it on 29th day may leave you high and dry given how quick the networks are at bothering to speak to each other

Reestit_Mutton

Well, I'm looking at the impressive offer on 3 VideoTalk 500 which comes to £10 a month rental at Phones4U.

So, what you're saying is I should phone them half way through this month (contract ends on 3rd Nov). Ok.

Do I have to give 30 days notice to get the PAC code? I would probably use it before the 30 days notice is up but outside the contract period.

You need NO notice for the PAC code - just request it and they will send it within 5 days. Use it any time you feel like doing so within teh following 30 days and, bob's your uncle, within 5 days of handing teh code to your new network your number should be ported and your old contract AUTOMATICALLY lapses with no need to request the cancellation. That's the beauty of the system - it circumvents the 30 day rule and ensures that your SP actually cancels the contract.

IIRC, you need to hand the PAC to your new network within the first week of your new contract (I think one or two networks allow you to port a number in at a later date but most require the port to take place when the contract is set up). Thus, if you order this contract deal at the end of this month (it's a cracker of a deal, especially since the 1/2 price Talk & Text 600 with an extra £50 cashback disappeared from the radar) you can hand them the PAC on 04 November and technically be transferring your number AFTER your 12 months is up.

I suggest getting the contract before October ends as noone knows whether 3 will be continuing their 1/2 price line rental for 3 months into November and that is what is partly subsidising all the 12 months half price 3 deals going around at the moment. better the certainty of what you can get now at a good price than the uncertainty of what it will cost next month, I say.

HtH
Reestit Mutton

cubegame

Thanks. Will get in touch with O2 ASAP. Hopefully they will bend but considering I spend very little I doubt it!

Reestit Mutton - excellent description. Number transfer sounds even better when you can get rid of cancellation hassles.