How can I keep my number with a new contract?

[Biker9090]

I'm currently on pay monthly for 3 with phone and sim. The contract ended last December and I need a new phone.

The best deals seem to be for new contracts through a third party such as fonehouse.

How can I get a new contract (with three) through the third party but keep my old number? I've read PAC/PUK codes will only work when transferring to a new provider.

I've already spoken to three and they won't offer the same deal and the person didn't seem to have a clue about transferring the number.

[Mr Pointy]

Get a PAC & move to Talkmobile or Lebara for 30 days then get another PAC & transfer back.

[Alorotom]

I had this exact issue with 3 a few years ago (and EE prior to that) - I ordered a free PAYG sim from GiffGaff (IIRC) and ported onto that from 3 then gave it a couple of days and ported back out to 3 ... ludicrous really.

Have you spoken to 3 about getting them to honour the new deal in the form of an upgrade to save the hassle - might be worth a try?

[ccr32]

Alorotom said:

I had this exact issue with 3 a few years ago (and EE prior to that) - I ordered a free PAYG sim from GiffGaff (IIRC) and ported onto that from 3 then gave it a couple of days and ported back out to 3 ... ludicrous really.

Yep, this is what you have to do if you want to stay on the same network but start a new contract through a Fonehouse or whatever - stupid, but a lot easier now than it used to be as it can all be done with simple text messages, so in a few days you will have your PUK you can use/submit as part of your Fonehouse order.

If you are set on staying with Three because of the network coverage or whatever, then it might be worth looking into what you can get one of the MVNO's that uses their network, like Smarty, iD Mobile, Superdrug, etc. as you'll be able to request a PUK and transfer directly to them.

[Biker9090]

Thanks for the tips.

Called three again and kicked off over the whole thing. They've now agreed to put me on PAYG within 1 working day on my current number, I've ordered through fonehouse and three will transfer the old number over once I've received the new phone next week.

For reference, I contacted the below email addresses which is what caused them to waive the 30 day transfer to PAYG first nonsense so it can be done with some perseverance.

[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

[paulrockliffe]

The new text system is pretty much instant, last time I did it I ordered a Vodafone Sim on eBay for 99p then did the double transfer as soon as it arrived. You could probably do it quicker now if your phone supports eSim as I presume you can buy one of those, get the codes by email and then PAC in and out.

On O2 you can use third party sellers and sign up as an upgrade on your existing number, it bounces you into your O2 account to finish up, so you don't have to bother with PAC. Not sure if that's universal, or I just got lucky.