Porting mobile phone number, but staying on same network

uk_dave&gill · 10th July 2018, 17:02

Seems I have a double deja vu thing going on here!

Thread of mine from March 2010
Thread of mine from April 2012

So I find myself in the same position once more! My faithful Samsung Galaxy Note (original version!) has developed an issue, which is basically that the power button has failed and thus I can't switch the screen off, so have had to set the auto power-down elements to just a few seconds to avoid the phone doing weird things when I pop it into my pocket. It switches on OK with the Home button, but in all honesty, is getting a little slow and jaded now, so need a replacement

I'm with EE and, of course, like the previous two times, the best option for a new phone - in this case a Samsung Galaxy S7 from Fonehouse - is also EE. Upgrade people can't match the offer but, if I go for it, also can't keep my number as it's the same network. I don't want to lose the number, as I've had it for over twenty years now

Seems the same procedure still holds as before

Buy new PAYG SIM as cheap as possible, on alternative network
Contact EE to cancel my current contract (which is now SIM only) and get PAC code
Port current number from EE SIM to new PAYG SIM
Get new S7 from Fonehouse
Get PAC code from supplier of PAYG SIM
Port number from PAYG SIM to S7

Can any experts out there verify this for me and advise on any potential pitfalls? I really don't want to lose my number!

mbonwick · 10th July 2018, 20:35

How hard have you tried to get EE to match that offer?

What you need to do is call them, and instead of asking for "Upgrades", ask for "Retentions" or say "I'm thinking of leaving because I can get a better deal elsewhere".
Those people have a lot more leeway to give you a better deal, especially if what you've seen is also with EE.

uk_dave&gill · 10th July 2018, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbonwick

How hard have you tried to get EE to match that offer?

Not very tbh! Thing is, I don't really want to change my phone, I'm just being pushed into it by the broken button!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbonwick

What you need to do is call them, and instead of asking for "Upgrades", ask for "Retentions" or say "I'm thinking of leaving because I can get a better deal elsewhere".
Those people have a lot more leeway to give you a better deal, especially if what you've seen is also with EE.

I have heard this, but I'm useless at haggling and also hate having to deal with folk on the phone, which is why an online upgrade appeals!

I've been doing a bit more research since I posted, and have found that I can convert my current pay monthly EE SIM to a PAYG on the same network, keeping the same number. Then I can get the new contract and change back, so a little easier than I thought!

DerekS · 10th July 2018, 23:04

are the free sims still available ? thats what we used to change the numbers
round .

uk_dave&gill · 11th July 2018, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerekS

are the free sims still available ? thats what we used to change the numbers
round .

Not sure! It's ringing a vague bell....

DerekS · 11th July 2018, 09:37

Google says they are .

Tenesmus · 15th July 2018, 22:47

Buy a phone from somewhere and stick the existing SIM in it? Can work out cheaper.

uk_dave&gill · 16th July 2018, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenesmus

Buy a phone from somewhere and stick the existing SIM in it? Can work out cheaper.

That's something I've thought about too!

Trouble is, I don't think it will work out cheaper

I currently pay £13 a month for the SIM, and the best deal I've found for a Samsung S7 is £15 with £49 for the phone. Over two years this works out to £312 and £409 respectively, leaving me £97 for the phone if I bought one outright. Don't think I could find one that cheap! However, if I could find an alternative and thus cheaper phone, the principle is definitely a good one

10th July 2018, 17:02	#1
uk_dave&gill This is my second home .. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Town Posts: 4,166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 189 Times in 105 Posts	Porting mobile phone number, but staying on same network Seems I have a double deja vu thing going on here! Thread of mine from March 2010 Thread of mine from April 2012 So I find myself in the same position once more! My faithful Samsung Galaxy Note (original version!) has developed an issue, which is basically that the power button has failed and thus I can't switch the screen off, so have had to set the auto power-down elements to just a few seconds to avoid the phone doing weird things when I pop it into my pocket. It switches on OK with the Home button, but in all honesty, is getting a little slow and jaded now, so need a replacement I'm with EE and, of course, like the previous two times, the best option for a new phone - in this case a Samsung Galaxy S7 from Fonehouse - is also EE. Upgrade people can't match the offer but, if I go for it, also can't keep my number as it's the same network. I don't want to lose the number, as I've had it for over twenty years now Seems the same procedure still holds as before Buy new PAYG SIM as cheap as possible, on alternative network Contact EE to cancel my current contract (which is now SIM only) and get PAC code Port current number from EE SIM to new PAYG SIM Get new S7 from Fonehouse Get PAC code from supplier of PAYG SIM Port number from PAYG SIM to S7 Can any experts out there verify this for me and advise on any potential pitfalls? I really don't want to lose my number! __________________ Dave Last edited by uk_dave&gill; 10th July 2018 at 18:17..

15th July 2018, 22:47	#7
Tenesmus Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Penzance Posts: 481 Thanks: 17 Thanked 69 Times in 52 Posts	Buy a phone from somewhere and stick the existing SIM in it? Can work out cheaper. __________________ 2005 Connoisseur 2.5 auto SE Tourer in BRG with Sandstone Beige and Black piping interior (the 2nd of only 7 Rover 75s produced 5th November 2004, and it’s the 244th of 303 facelift British Racing Green 75 tourers built worldwide). All I've done is add Rover walnut gear knob and handbrake... 2016 Vauxhall Viva SL (Father Jack) "assisted manual" (auto) in purple. Going rusty underneath already...

10th July 2018, 20:35	#2
mbonwick Gets stuck in Connoisseur SE 1.8 Auto Saloon Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Kendal Posts: 633 Thanks: 129 Thanked 176 Times in 147 Posts	How hard have you tried to get EE to match that offer? What you need to do is call them, and instead of asking for "Upgrades", ask for "Retentions" or say "I'm thinking of leaving because I can get a better deal elsewhere". Those people have a lot more leeway to give you a better deal, especially if what you've seen is also with EE.

10th July 2018, 23:04	#4
DerekS Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Malpas Posts: 1,526 Thanks: 34 Thanked 118 Times in 89 Posts	are the free sims still available ? thats what we used to change the numbers round .

11th July 2018, 09:37	#6
DerekS Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Malpas Posts: 1,526 Thanks: 34 Thanked 118 Times in 89 Posts	Google says they are .