Mobile phone numbers now easier to keep when moving network
Keeping your old phone number when you switch your mobile phone deal just got easier with Ofcom forcing operators to allow you to port your number in one working day.
To transfer your old number when you switch from one mobile network to another, you need to:
- Ask your existing mobile operator for a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code).
- Give the PAC to your new operator, which moves over your number to its own network within one working day. This automatically puts a stop on your mobile service with your old operator.
Previously, operators had up to two working days to port mobile phone numbers.
Ofcom’s new mobile number porting rules – which come into force today – also prevent your old network dawdling over giving you your PAC. Your old operator has to issue your PAC either immediately over the phone or in a maximum of two hours by text message.
Once you’ve given your PAC to your new network, your mobile phone number can easily be switched over in a matter of hours rather than days.
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clint kirk
One working day rather than two: is that what you call “easier”? When I saw the headline, I was hoping to read that you could simply authorise your new provider to contact your old provider to get the PAC. With this new rule, you still have to contact your old provider, which means being held in an automated system, sometimes you get charged if you want to speak to a real person, and then when you eventually get through you will be put through to “retentions”, who will try to convince you to stay.
Ray H
I thought that there were some drawbacks to keeping your number when changing, such as call charges to your number from another phone being different.
GusThePig
What is the situation with BlackBerry? Ported the number fine but now the previous provider are holding up access to the customer’s own emails. Any legislation on this?
Geoff