Transfer your mobile number - Made simple.

Mobile network processes vary from network to network, all networks are regulated by Ofcom the regulative authority, figuring out the jargon to achieve your own consumer requirements can be challenging at the best of times, so we have compiled a summary on transferring networks to help you through what may seem like a daunting task.

The Topic in this article relates to transferring your mobile number to another mobile network.

Transferring from one mobile network to another - Cross network transfer.

So your looking to transfer your new or existing mobile number to another network, the process is called porting and the two common departments based at each network are MNP or Mobile Number portability, and Retentions, these departments deal solely with the transferring of mobile numbers in and out of the current network provider by the issuing of a PAC (port authorisation code).

Once generated a PAC allows customers to move their existing or new mobile number to the network of choice. To obtain your PAC some networks require certain processes to be completed prior to a PAC being generated, they include registration of the mobile number under the users name, standard details such as name, address, d.o.b and P.I.N / I.D or password are required, it is also common for the networks to request in the event that the mobile number is in pre-active state (never used, brand new) that a topup and chargeable call is made from the SIM card to enable the PAC to be provided. It is important that these policies are adhered to, to ensure a smooth transition.

Once the PAC is generated, usually provided via the telephone or SMS, the PAC will always start with 3 letters, commonly these letters are an abbreviation of the mobile network that issued the PAC, some examples include; TEL = O2, VPT = Vodafone, ORG = Orange etc. followed by 6 digits ??" 123456. On the day of issue regardless of the network there will be an expiration date of the PAC, this is 30 days, the network should advise you of this time frame. At this point it would be advisable to backup any contacts on your mobile phone and use up any remaining credit if using a PAYG (Pay as you go) SIM card. If the PAC is not provided to the transferring network within 30 days the mobile number will remain with the issuing network, however please note that if transferring from a closing contract account you may risk losing your mobile number, as it will be terminated into a disconnected state that may not be recoverable by the network.

It is advisable to provide the PAC to the transferring network at your earliest convenience to avoid such problems occurring. And remember that generation of a PAC does not aways mean closure of account, customers would not appreciate receiving two bills in the post from two different networks, old and new.

Call customer services of the transferring network to provide the PAC or with some networks the PAC can be processed online. Once provided the mobile number should transfer within 2 working days under the latest / revised Ofcom MNP policy. On the day of transfer completion put your new network SIM card into the mobile phone leave switched on throughout the day, at some point during the day you will lose signal, this would indicate the transfer is almost complete, switch the handset off for approximately 10 minutes and back on again, the cross network transfer should now of completed, in the event that the number has not transferred, repeat the fore-mentioned process.

Transferring from Prepay to Postpay on the same network - Internal Migration.

The process to complete a mobile number transferring from a PAYG SIM card to a Contract SIM card on the same network is known in the industry as internal migration, in most cases a PAC is not required to complete this process, simply provide the SSN (SIM Serial Number) to contract customer services along with relevant security details, and the advisor will be able to transfer within 24 hours, however this can be processed in as little as 1-2 hours (Varies per network). If the advisor requests that a PAC must be issued then you will be required to speak with the PAYG department and ask for a PAC to be generated, then calling back the contract department.