Ever tired to get your Port Authorisation Code? Its not always easy and providers although legally bound to give you one they don't always make it easy unless you like to spend hours on the phone. Ofcom are looking to improve the system and may let you do it by texting a short code. This is unlikely to see the light of day till 2017 if it happens at all.

http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/23/o...ier-switching/

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/con...ng%2C%20mobile

I don't know which method I'd prefer. One advantage of the PAC is that it gives the operator a final chance to give you a good deal, or fix whatever problem you've been having, and it makes it a bit harder for dodgy people to port without your permission.

Whatever they do they need to make porting happen basically instantly regardless of when you put it in. There's no excuse, computers can process the things 24/7. I shouldn't have to wait three or four days because I wanted to port on the weekend prior to a bank holiday.

At the very least they should be forced to offer say a form on their website though. The fact that some people have to spend almost an hour on the phone to get their PAC is just ludicrous. Fair enough it gives the network the chance etc, but some people know they want out and just want the PAC.

I'd agree with that. PAC issuing should also be automatic if you don't want to speak to anyone or be bombarded with deals. Texting, as mentioned, could be another way

I agree with much of what you say, for many years it has always been the networks that have called the shots, it has taken several regulatory interventions to get us where we are now. I think porting should be an instant process, when you get your PAC and supply it to your new provider.

EE is a shining example of how fast PAC can operate, especially when migrating existing customers. We should put this in the hands of the consumer, let them call the shots as opposed to waiting on mandatory minimums just to let the network try and save your custom.

Most customers when they form a relationship with a network, its like their bank, they don't change it that often. It is a habit we need to break, thats why I think 2 certain networks merging would make that even more difficult.

Porting is ridiculously slow in this country - others can do it in hours or minutes.

Agreed. Bring it on !

Ofcom have mentioned this before I will wait and see what happens because if it does it will be soooo much easier

Anything that minimises doing that horrible thing of "speaking on the phone" is a good idea by me. However it has never taken more than a couple of minutes when I have asked for one (once you have got through). You just say "I need a PAC to transfer my number as I have just signed up for a new phone with <insert competitors name>". Once companies know you have already committed they don't waste time trying to keep you. It works when cancelling Sky as well "I have just installed my new Freesat box so I need to cancel".

We just need to change to recipient led porting, the same as every other country in the world, bar India.

There are potential security issues with that though. How do other countries verify that the person requesting the port really wants it to happen? I've heard of stories from the US where people have had their numbers ported away without permission.

A fully automatic and instant PAC issuing process would be a good middle ground.

In a way, the banks are ahead of the telcos on this now, with the current account switching service where they handle transferring all payments (and will reimburse you for any screwups). Plus they finally have near-instant payment processing now (well, for a few years)

It would be good when joining a new network if you could start with your existing number rather than getting a temporary one and confusing all your contacts.

The "Current Account Switching Service" was a bit of a ball ache for the banking industry, they had it so good for so long, this was one of the indirect requisites when the tax payer bailed out the industry. Even up until the day it launched there were numerous board members from many banks campaigning against it, usually some bullshit excuse like fraud or security.

It has improved I agree, that said number porting should be much easier, there really is no excuse for it to run beyond an hour or two. The network has no right to be holding up the porting process, if they can't give you a good deal from the outset, why the hell should they expect to be given the oppurtunity when you declare you want to leave.

I do think Ofcom's proposals are good, especially if it removes the need for a customer to contact the network directly to get a PAC. Porting should be easy, when that happens it really will make the networks sit up and take notice, in theory reducing prices. Contracts nowadays are expensive, given many of the top end phones will command near £1k on 24 month contract. Its time they were brought back down IMHO, easier porting would help immensely with that.

That idea in principle is great, from a technical stand point it would be difficult to implement. In order to port a number, there needs to be an active line which which to port it to, thats where the temporary number comes in. That said in theory it should be no different to swapping to a new sim card when you buy a new phone (on the same network).