How long should it take to switch mobile provider and transfer your number?

**original PM** · 27 July 2016, 12:29

If you can get to carphone warehouse you can get a new working phone almost straight away

transfering your number should only take a few more days but....

**WTFH** · 27 July 2016, 12:34

Originally posted by original PM View Post

If you can get to carphone warehouse you can get a new working phone almost straight away

transfering your number should only take a few more days but....

Yup, what OPM said.

The transfer can take a day or two if you are switching provider. If you are just switching sim, the transfer can be done immediately in a shop.
But if you are switching provider and sim, the new sim will not work until the old one is deactivated. (generally you can't have two sims on the same number)

**Kraut** · 27 July 2016, 12:50

I have moved my number between providers several times over the last 7 years or so, because it's very easy to remember. From O2, to T-Mobile (now EE), to Three, to giffgaff. Took in all cases between just over 24 hours to five days. You might have a little bit of downtime, but I haven't been unreachable for more than a few hours in any case. You'll know in advance on which date it's going to happen, so you just swap out sims then, reboot the phone, and you're good to go. No big deal at all. Getting that stupid PAC code to initiate the transfer is another matter...

**missinggreenfields** · 27 July 2016, 12:54

When I changed from SIM to nano-SIM, T-mobile sent me a new one which never arrived and deactivated the old one. Walked into the shop in town and they sorted it out and had it working with a new SIM in a few minutes.

Swapping from one provider to another took about a day to come through to them originally.

**Hobosapien** · 27 July 2016, 13:06

See if any of the phones offer eSim so no physical sim to change, just a phone call to change provider/plan in theory.

Samsung and others (possibly the next iPhone) have started to roll out hardware with eSim capability, but may be too late for this situation.

Personally I use these opportunities to ditch the old number and anyone I don't want having my new number, or demote old number to less important contacts that aren't aware they're in the process of being 'defriended'.

**LondonManc** · 27 July 2016, 13:09

d000hg, I take it you're with BT at the moment and simply want a new SIM card issuing?

Can you not simply go instore at a generic mobile phone shop and get one issued?

Originally posted by WTFH View Post

Yup, what OPM said.

OPM said "heaven is a half pipe". How does that help?

**WTFH** · 27 July 2016, 13:23

He's switching providers (I'm guessing to BT)

Originally posted by LondonManc View Post

OPM said "heaven is a half pipe". How does that help?

You never ridden switch in a half pipe?

**SueEllen** · 27 July 2016, 15:04

Originally posted by d000hg View Post

BT are being dire - I bought a new phone which requires a nano SIM and after nearly 3 weeks and two different SIMs they haven't been able to provide me with one that works. I'm stuck using my old phone which I needed to sell without using. Today, my old SIM stopped working so I have no phone at all, and I can't get through to anyone helpful at all.

I'm thinking I'll just move. I know I can get a new SIM in the post next day or the day after, or visit a store direct, but how long will porting my number take? A couple of days tog et it from BT plus several days to activate, or less than that?

I travel on Monday for a month and so far it looks like I will have to take two phones with me neither of which works!

It really unfortunately depends on BT.

I suggest you phone them up and press the buttons to leave them. Then when you speak to an operator say you are leaving and want your PAC. Then you get put through to the retentions department. They should give you the PAC after trying to sell you stuff, and then its up to the new provider to connect you.

Some like EE will connect you over the weekend. I tend to find it better to deal with them all on the phone rather than in their shops. I've only been to one shop with decent staff and that was one EE branch all the rest are f***wits.

Avoid the Carphonewarehouse as they are charlatans.

**d000hg** · 27 July 2016, 16:35

I have never seen such terrible service. Not only do they not have the ability to tell me "this has been escalated please wait 2-3 days" but when I asked for a PAC code they told me they cannot do this until the current problem is resolved.

Then I asked how to make a complaint and they wouldn't tell me (I asked twice). They practically boasted about the fact that lots of other people are having the same problems!

How long should it take to switch mobile provider and transfer your number?