Hi,

My contract with O2 is coming to an end early july, and i am planning on switching networks and getting a cheaper contract.

I was wondering what the process is to switch network?

Do I request my PAC number from O2 early June and then cancel at the same time?

Or, do I request my PAC number early may, sign up to another network when I get it and then cancel earl June (30 days notice)?

I'm guessing I may have a month overlap when I'm paying for both contracts.

Just to confirm, my current contract ends around 5th July.

Thanks in advance

If you move your number after your contract has ended you won't have to give 30 days notice to O2. Your account will be automatically closed after the number transfer is completed. All you have to do is request your PAC from O2 and then give it to your new network after your new account is set up. You won't have to pay any overlap then.

Make sure that whoever you go with for your new contract will allow number porting after the new contract is active. I spoke to someone a few months back who was told they wouldn't accept the old number on the new contract after it was already set up.

I don't know which company it was, but it can't be O2 or T-Mo as I've ported numbers later with both of those.

I think it is Vodafone who are funny about porting in after a contract has started

Thanks all.

My contract renewal date is on the 3rd July.

I am planning on moving to Three

From what you have said, I should order the new sim card from Three about a week before to allow for delivery, and request a PAC number from O2.

Then give this number to Three on the 3rd July to port the number over.

Once processed, my account with O2 will automatically be cancelled and they will just bill me to the last couple of days it takes them to port the number across?

Is this right? O2 won't bill me for the whole of July?

Thanks again

You won't be able to time it as accurately. as that, you'll have a few days overlap. You can ask for your PAC in advance, they are valid for 30 days and USING it ends your O2 contract.

Although it would mean a slightly larger overlap; I would get the new contract mid-june. This will give you time to make sure you are happy with Three (and find a replacement if you aren't) before porting your number.

Vodafone have allowed porting after connection since last summer

Are you sure you want a contract?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...one-bills.html

sim only and PAYG is a lot cheaper

PAYG is generally not cheaper unless you are a very occasional user. What that article says is that people end up on the wrong tariff because they over estimate what they'll need and pay for allowances they never use.

Choose the correct contract and it won't be cheaper than PAYG.

Sim only is a different matter though, as you are not part-paying for a new handset with your monthly payments.

Sorry, I should have been clear.
I plan to get a Sim only 1 month rolling contract for £10 per month.
This will give me 100 minutes, 3000 texts and 1GB data, which is more than enough for me.
I'm currently paying £35 per month on the O2 iPhone contract, so I will be saving £25 per month when I switch.
So, this will save me £300 each year.
Plus, with the rolling contract, I can easily get a new phone in the future if one comes along that I want to switch to.

Im presuming the OP is getting a sim only contract on 3 for their existing handset, no? Or buying a new handset

Yes, buying a sim only contract for my existing handset for a much cheaper monthly amount

thats a relief! just checking, you never know! i guess the info above is enough to get you switched over. in my experience its an easy process.

Yeah, thanks everyone, it's a relief that I do not have to contact O2 to cancel the contract and that it is cancelled automatically when I use the PAC number.

Apparently 24 hour porting is now possible. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/04/11/ofcom_porting/

Ofcom Guide: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2011/0...r-switching-4/