Are you switched on to switching over?

When was the last time you considered switching mobile network providers? 

Last year?  Five years ago?  Never? 

So, what’s your excuse for leaving it this long?  Maybe you don’t feel you have the time to do the research?  You might be worried about losing your number or some of your data.  It might be that you just can’t be bothered: you need some constants in life, after all.

It’s understandable that some of us feel loyalty towards our current provider.  However, let’s not confuse loyalty with being stuck in a rut.  More often than not, those niggles such as poor coverage, rising prices, or unhelpful customer service, don’t go away. 

Unfortunately, most of us only look to switch mobile network providers if something goes wrong.  Before we know it, we’ve been on the wrong tariff for four years, paid more than we should have paid, and missed out on having a couple of shiny new handsets over the years. 

So, get switched on to switching over…

Easy Switch…

Mobile number retention is a top priority for customers when switching networks.  In order to transfer across an existing number, customers have always had to request a PAC from their current supplier: PAC being an abbreviation for Port Authorisation Code, which is made up of three letters and six numbers. 

In the antiquity of mobile phones, network providers were notorious for purposely making it very difficult for their customers to obtain a PAC, as it was a sure way to retain a high percentage of customers. 

Customers were traditionally required to make a phone call to their current providers, during which many customers were often heavily persuaded to stay exactly where they were.

However, from 1^st July 2019, new Ofcom rules introduced an easier way for customers to request a PAC.  Text-to-switch enabled customers to request their PAC by simply sending a text message. 

Switching one number

By texting PAC to 65075, your current provider must text over your PAC within one minute.  This message will also advise you of any early contract termination charges, outstanding costs, or your credit balance if you are on pay-as-you-go. Customers can still request a PAC over the phone, or by logging into their account online, but with text-to-switch, there will be no more holding for twenty minutes; no more awkward conversations with your current provider or having to resist their last-minute attempts to make you stay. 

It’s an easy switch.

Switching more than one number

Customers who have family packages, or businesses that have multiple numbers linked to their account, will need to request their PAC online or by phone.  One PAC can service up to 24 mobile numbers, so switching a family or business package to a new network, can be just as straightforward as switching one number.

Not taking your old number?

Text STAC to 75075 to receive your STAC (Service Termination Authorisation Code) from your current provider, together with any important information about your final bill.  Again, this is really straightforward. 

Contract Information

If you are considering switching to another provider, but you don’t know how long you have left on your current contract, just text INFO to 85075 for up-to-date information about the early termination charges or the contract duration of your agreement.

Got it…?

Once you have your PAC, you’ll need to apply it within 30 days, otherwise you’ll need to apply for a new one.  

Just give your PAC to your new provider and they will manage the switch for you, which should be completed within one working day (networks will not action a number port on weekends or bank holidays). As soon as your number has been ported across to the new network, your old contract will be automatically terminated. 

Switch with Initiis

Forget text-to-switch; there is an even easier way to switch to Vodafone from your old network. 

Switch with Initiis.

Contact Initiis to book an appointment with your Super Account Manager. 

S.A.M. will personally manage your switch from start to finish: requesting your PAC for you, applying your PAC, and completing the switch on a day that suits you or your business.

When porting a number across to another network, there is a small chance you will experience a brief split service, or split port: this is when a number is stuck between both networks. 

With S.A.M. managing your switch, porting problems, like a split port, will be quickly identified and rectified, meaning your switch is completed with no delays.

Furthermore, for our business customers with a multiple number switch, S.A.M. will port numbers over in smaller batches to minimise risk and ensure seamless connectivity for your business. 

Switch on to switching over with Initiis.