Phone Contract - can someone please walk me through this?!

[Quebeth]

Preferably using small words

My phone contract (with 3) comes to an end on Friday. I am in DESPERATE need of a new phone. Explored upgrade options a few weeks ago and the deals on 3 were not great. Found a good deal on EE that I think I will go for.

I can’t work out the order of events here. Firstly do I need to give notice even though the contract is up? Because with Christmas I could do without paying two bills in December. Do I order my new phone now or wait till 3 contract is terminated? How do I keep my number?

I feel a tube for asking but I’ve never done this before...

Your new contract is from whenever you buy your phone so wait until your old contract is up.

Unfortunately you normally have to give 30 days notice so you may still be charged for next month I'm afraid.

The same phone number is something to do with a PAC code. You need to ring your old provider to get your PAC code and then ring your new provider and give them it to transfer it over to your new phone.

There’s a new way to get your PAC without having to speak to your provider and listen to their pleas to stay. Your provider should have a number on its website that you text and they send you a code. You set up a new contract, give this code to EE and they will contact 3 and take your number to their own network. I changed from 3 to Sky in the summer and did it all online. Didn’t speak to anyone. If you have to give notice to 3, just wait til close to the end of your notice period to set up a new contract. It usually only takes a few hours to get set up and then once you send the PAC to EE, your number should be moved in a day.

Thank you that is helpful. I am confused though. I have just gone on to the website and clicked the option “I want to leave and keep my number”. It has texted me a pac code and said if I use it today I only need to pay £2.07??

From 3’s website.

It may be you’ve hit the end of a billing period and got lucky! I was out of contract with 3 and they ended up owing me a pound.

This is the problem you get by buying a phone on contract. You are tried for a period and then still have to get out of it.
Much better to buy the phone up front sim-free, even if you have to take out a loan. Then get a pay monthly deal with any of the service providers. You are not tied and can charge the provider or the phone whenever you want. More convenient and usually cheaper overall.

The £2.07 will be how much you owe 3 if you leave them today.

Contact EE, say you want to move from 3 and give them the PAC code. They will sort moving your number from 3.

You shouldn’t end up paying both EE and 3 through December. This site has more info.

www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/text-to-switch-simple-to-switch-mobile-network

Wow! I did not realise all these changes had been made. Very informative! Thank you Vethings I can order my new phone after all

Or even easier, phone 3 and tell them you want to leave as you've seen a good deal on EE. They will probably try to match it and you won't have to faff about with PAC codes. I got my iPhone 11 with unlimited data for £40 a month which was less than what I was paying for my iPhone 8.

Yes, actually the suggestion above is excellent. I changed from Vodafone to BT Mobile earlier this year and when I contacted Vodafone for my PAC code, they offered to match any other deal I had been offered. (I didn't want to stay with them for other reasons though.)

Same happened to me . I got a great deal with BT... rang Vodafone for my PAC code... Vodafone promptly beat the BT offer... all sorted without having to leave the house. New hone arrived next day 👍

Go in to a 3 store, they often have offers that aren't visible online, I got ds a Samsung A70 on a 24 month unlimited everything contract, half price for first 6 months, then £30 a month, I have added their insurance in case he breaks it, still only £25 a month inclusive for first 6 months. He had been with Giffgaff sim only at £25 a month with limited data, his phone was worn out, the A70 is nearly £400 to buy before any sim free tariff.