Talk me through buying new phones for Xmas.

[MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry]

DC have phones that are now out of contract. I am getting them new phone & SIM contracts for Christmas but I’m having a foggy brain time and can’t work out when to actually buy the phones.

I want them to keep the same phone numbers so will need a PAC number. If I bought new phones tomorrow, when do I ask their current provider for a PAC number? They’re not getting the new phones until Christmas Day so can I wait until then to get the PAC numbers? Or will I have to give it straight away to new phone provider?

This is probably really obvious

Are you swapping the SIMs now so they aren't without phones and then the phones themselves on Christmas day? If so, you surely need the PAC code as soon as you want to use the new contract. Swapping the SIMs on Christmas day will be a case of doing just that. Sorry if I've misunderstood! You can start the new phone contract but put the new SIM in the old phone until Christmas day.

As an aside, I definitely would buy the phones now as lots are going out of stock from what I've seen.

No they’re going to carry on using the SIMs they have as they’re now on a rolling contract rather than the fixed 2 year contract they were in.

You can start the new phone contract but put the new SIM in the old phone until Christmas day.

So I can wait and ask for the PAC number then too?

As an aside, I definitely would buy the phones now as lots are going out of stock from what I've seen.

Thank you!

If you are just buying new phones and don't need new sims then you just buy the phone (make sure it's unlocked for the network you want) and put the old sim in the new phone. A PAC code is only when you want to swap your number to a new contract

You don't need to get the PAC code straight away, it just means an overlap between now and Christmas as you won't be able to cancel the contract they have until you are ready to get the PAC code.

Thanks all. I’m getting them new SIMs too as the contact they are on isn’t good value at all. Glad to know I can wait until Xmas to request the PAC.

PACs last a few days, so you're probably best to do it in the run up to Christmas. Depending on your service provider, it might require manual intervention so there might be a delay over the Christmas period, especially as CD is on a Saturday, so there's 4 days at least where they might be on limited staff.