Changing companies and keeping number...

Goksly · 13 Apr 2006 at 16:07

As phone companies seem to treat new customers better than existing ones... what are the major disadvantages with swapping service providers after the contract period.
The obvious one is having to sort the number swapping etc, but are there any other disadvantages? Thanks.

semi-pro waster · 13 Apr 2006 at 16:12

Well I'd look at seeing which companies price plan suits you best as not all will give you free text messages or may charge you extra for calling at certain times.

To change your number between companies is very easy though, you need to phone up and request your PAC code, give that to the new service provider and once it is transferred your old contract will automatically get cancelled. A PAC code lasts for 28 days as far as I recall and you will be without any access for a short period of time while the number transfers but it is simple and pretty painless.

Goksly · 13 Apr 2006 at 17:14

Cheers for that.
Ive been with vodafone for about 5 years and always have to argue to match other providers or even deals they are giving new customers. I think thats pretty shocking tbh - they know im going to give them around £50 a month.
TMobile flex time looks pretty decent - will see how vodafone counters than, although their stop the clock feature is pretty nice.
Anywho - thanks

celticbhoy · 14 Apr 2006 at 23:37

The thing I would suggest is make sure that the company you sign up with allows Number Porting.

An example would be if buying an o2 phone from Dialaphone you can't port number.

Mostly as a whole it is as simple as telling the new provider the PAC Code and they do the rest.

Strikeforce · 15 Apr 2006 at 00:10

celticbhoy said:
The thing I would suggest is make sure that the company you sign up with allows Number Porting.

An example would be if buying an o2 phone from Dialaphone you can't port number.

Mostly as a whole it is as simple as telling the new provider the PAC Code and they do the rest.

Where did you hear that?

You just phone dialaphone to place the order and they accept the PAC.

Goksly · 15 Apr 2006 at 00:13

ah so not all companies let you take ** number with ya?
hope they dont all start doing that :S

celticbhoy · 15 Apr 2006 at 22:56

Strikeforce said:
Where did you hear that?

You just phone dialaphone to place the order and they accept the PAC.

Not on o2 or Vodafone.

Check their help page, the reasons are if I remember rightly is they don't connect directly to o2 or vodafone.

It is a common misconception, that it is that simple by the time most realise then the 14 day return period is up and you are goofed.

The above was just one example I could think of, just did not want anyone to make a costly mistake