U.K. O2 iPhone and PAC Code.

[CD3660]

Does anyone know whether you have to provide your PAC Code to O2 (to transfer your existing number from another network) at the time you activate your iPhone and therefore start your O2 contract, or whether O2 will allow you to do it a few days or even weeks later?

 

[liketom]

Stolen from a forum on the tinternet

"If you want the same number ask for a PAC code when you cancel the contract. Give this PAC code to o2 when taking your new contract. You can then take your number with you."

 

[danielforman]

I think I read somewhere that you have an option in the itunes activation to enter your pac code. I have got my PAC code ready to switch from my current network to O2 when the iPhone is launched. I hope everything like this will be detailed a bit more on the O2 site very soon so we know prior to the iPhone release.

 

[thworple]

I've wondering about this PAC code business with the iPhone, as looking at O2's website, it states that you usually contact O2 directly to transfer your old number to your new O2 account. I don't think this will be the case with the iPhone though.

I assume that when you're activating your iPhone via iTunes there'll be an option to transfer your existing number from another provider, and that once this option is selected, you input the PAC code you have been given, and then finish off your activation process.

Your number should then transfer over, although it will likely take a fair few hours for this to occur, and for you to be able to make and receive calls on your new toy.

 

[danielforman]

Your number should then transfer over, although it will likely take a fair few hours for this to occur, and for you to be able to make and receive calls on your new toy.

While the number is being transferred i think O2 said they will give you a temporary number so you can start using your iPhone fully straight away.

 

[thworple]

While the number is being transferred i think O2 said they will give you a temporary number so you can start using your iPhone fully straight away.

Hmmm - that would be weird. Not sure there's much point to giving us another number, if we're just going to be using another one a couple of hours later. If only Apple/O2 would send out regular email updates - signed up to receive them, and so far have received the same ad for the 9th Nov launch date three times, and not much else.

 

[TheChillPill]

I asked o2 about this recently, and this is what they told me;

- Transferring from another network - request PAC code in advance, and enter it during activation. Temporary number issued whilst it's ported.

- Transferring from another o2 contract / o2 payg - no PAC needed, number transferred during activation.

If you are transferring from another network, my understanding is that you wont be able to port the number over after activation - so you'll need your PAC code before you start the activation process.

 

[CD3660]

Thank you all for your prompt replies.

I do understand the whole PAC code process as I've been through it all before, a few times in fact. What I need to know is whether with O2 and the iPhone it has to be done at the start of the contract or whether it can be delayed for a few days or possibly weeks.

The reason that I ask is that my PAC code will only be available 2 weeks after I get and activate my iPhone unless I shell out quite a bit of money to buy out my existing contract at a higher rate than if I can wait a fortnight.

Edit: ChillPill, we posted at the same time and you have answered my query in your last sentence. Are you sure that is the case? If so, this is going to cost me about £100 extra. Either that or I wait another two weeks!

 

[roblawton]

Thank you all for your prompt replies.

I do understand the whole PAC code process as I've been through it all before, a few times in fact. What I need to know is whether with O2 and the iPhone it has to be done at the start of the contract or whether it can be delayed for a few days or possibly weeks.

The reason that I ask is that my PAC code will only be available 2 weeks after I get and activate my iPhone unless I shell out quite a bit of money to buy out my existing contract at a higher rate than if I can wait a fortnight.

Edit: ChillPill, we posted at the same time and you have answered my query in your last sentence. Are you sure that is the case? If so, this is going to cost me about £100 extra. Either that or I wait another two weeks!

AFAIK you need to enter the PAC when you initially signup/activate in iTunes.

However, there are two options for you...

> Wait a couple of weeks to activate the iPhone... I know that's a tough one, but you've waited this long... surely another fortnight would be alright.

> The other is to buy out of your current contract. If you want to cancel contracts whilst you're still in-contract usually you only have to pay the remainder of the line rental - so surely if you're having to wait 2 weeks for your PAC anyway, you can just pay the two weeks line rental and get the PAC early.

 

[sneeks]

I assume if you are currently a o2 customer that you will not be subject to the credit check for swapping to the iPhone handset and contract?

 

[alFR]

CD, having done this before, do you know if it's correct that you can only use a PAC code from 7 days after it's been issued? From wikipedia:

Your current Service Provider must give you a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) or a reason why it cannot be issued within 2 working days of your request. You can obtain your PAC by calling the customer service group of your current network. Usually your network operator will be able to provide your PAC over the phone and will then follow this up in writing.

Your PAC is valid for a period of 30 calendar days and your request must be submitted to your new Service Provider within that time.

Your number can then be transferred anytime between 7 and 37 calendar days from the date your PAC is issued.

Just asked for mine, so hopefully should be OK, but anyone still waiting to get theirs better get a move on if that's true...

 

[CD3660]

CD, having done this before, do you know if it's correct that you can only use a PAC code from 7 days after it's been issued?

Just asked for mine, so hopefully should be OK, but anyone still waiting to get theirs better get a move on if that's true...

The ones that I have been issued in the past lasted for 30 days and could be used as soon as I got them. Sometimes I have been given them over the phone, sometimes sent in writing by letter. However, they may take a few days to transfer over once you give them to your new network provider. Hope this helps.

 

[alFR]

OK, thanks.

 

[CD3660]

AFAIK you need to enter the PAC when you initially signup/activate in iTunes.

However, there are two options for you...

> Wait a couple of weeks to activate the iPhone... I know that's a tough one, but you've waited this long... surely another fortnight would be alright.

> The other is to buy out of your current contract. If you want to cancel contracts whilst you're still in-contract usually you only have to pay the remainder of the line rental - so surely if you're having to wait 2 weeks for your PAC anyway, you can just pay the two weeks line rental and get the PAC early.

I should have explained the situation more fully but I didn't want to bore you all with the details.

The position is that my current contract with T-Mobile does not expire until April 2008. It is the Flext 35 tariff which costs £30 per month so if I buy it out now I will have to pay about £165 for nothing (other than to get my phone number). I can downgrade the contract to one that costs only £10 per month and then buy that out at a cost of about £60 but the problem is I cannot downgrade it until my next billing date which is 23.11.07, hence the possible two week delay.

Had I done my homework earlier I could have downgraded the contract last week and avoided this problem.

 

[roblawton]

I should have explained the situation more fully but I didn't want to bore you all with the details.

The position is that my current contract with T-Mobile does not expire until April 2008. It is the Flext 35 tariff which costs £30 per month so if I buy it out now I will have to pay about £165 for nothing (other than to get my phone number). I can downgrade the contract to one that costs only £10 per month and then buy that out at a cost of about £60 but the problem is I cannot downgrade it until my next billing date which is 23.11.07, hence the possible two week delay.

Had I done my homework earlier I could have downgraded the contract last week and avoided this problem.

I'm with you now... ahh well, at least you've got a couple of options of what to do...

Personally, I'm gonna have to keep my Orange contract running for a few more months, and although I'm gonna have to change my number, I'm gonna enjoy texting/emailing people to let them know my new number (from my shiny iPhone of course!)

 

[CD3660]

I'm with you now... ahh well, at least you've got a couple of options of what to do...

For what it's worth I've just phoned O2 Customer Services and they said that I would have 30 days from the start of the contract to transfer my number to it.

Sounds ideal for my situation but being the cautious type I asked whether I could have it in writing, or at least see it in writing somewhere. Negative answer unfortunately. I was told that the written iPhone terms and conditions would not be available until launch day when Apple would release them. When I pointed out that this particular situation has nothing to do with Apple but is O2 specific, I got no further.

What I don't want to happen is that I rely on word of mouth, buy and activate my iPhone on Friday of next week, and then discover two weeks later that I cannot transfer my old number.

 

[alFR]

In that case I'd wait the 2 weeks, pay the £60 and move over then. I can't see that it's worth £165 or losing your number to get the phone that bit earlier....

 

[robpow]

Just a thought... it should be possible to get your PAC code now, pick up an O2 pay-as-you-go SIM and get your number ported over to the new SIM just in time for 9 Nov and then on the day simply activate and get the number transferred over pretty much immediately. Otherwise a PAC migration might take up to a week.

Matt

 

[CD3660]

For what it's worth I've just phoned O2 Customer Services and they said that I would have 30 days from the start of the contract to transfer my number to it.

Sounds ideal for my situation but being the cautious type I asked whether I could have it in writing, or at least see it in writing somewhere. Negative answer unfortunately. I was told that the written iPhone terms and conditions would not be available until launch day when Apple would release them. When I pointed out that this particular situation has nothing to do with Apple but is O2 specific, I got no further.

What I don't want to happen is that I rely on word of mouth, buy and activate my iPhone on Friday of next week, and then discover two weeks later that I cannot transfer my old number.

Decided to write to O2 Customer Services to see if I could prompt something in writing. I explained the situation in detail and asked them to confirm that I could port my number within 30 days of the start of the contract. This is what I wrote:

I would be grateful for your advice as soon as possible:

I am intending to buy an iPhone from my local O2 store on the 9th of November (when it is launched). Having bought it I would like to activate it through iTunes as soon as I get home and intend to opt for the £45 per month tariff. Therefore my new contract with O2 will begin on 09.11.07.

I am anxious to transfer my existing number to my new O2 contract as soon as possible, but for various reasons I may not be able to get a PAC code until the last week in November.

Can you confirm that I do not have to port my existing number to the O2 contract at the moment that the contract begins, and will be able to do so within a specified period thereafter.

This was the (automated) reply that I got:

Hello O2 Customer,

Thanks for getting in touch.

We're really excited about the iPhone - for the most up to date information we recommend you visit our website www.o2.co.uk/iphone or www.apple.com/ukstore

If your query doesn't relate to the iPhone, please reply to this email and we'll help you further.

Kind regards,

O2 Customer Service

O2 (UK) Limited, Registered in England No 1743099. Registered Office: 260 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4DX.

How pathetic is that? Doesn't bode well for the future!

 

[The_Roo]

Does anyone know if you are a O2 customer with the Carphone Warehouse whether you need to request a PAC code?

I have phoned the Carphone Warehouse customer support line and was told I don't need one and that on the day I buy the phone from the CW store, they will sort it out.

Sounds a bit confusing to me as on the O2 website it states that if you are on the Carphone Warehouse with O2 contract, you do need a PAC code

Anyone got a clear idea yet?

Cheers.

 

[CD3660]

Does anyone know if you are a O2 customer with the Carphone Warehouse whether you need to request a PAC code?

I have phoned the Carphone Warehouse customer support line and was told I don't need one and that on the day I buy the phone from the CW store, they will sort it out.

Sounds a bit confusing to me as on the O2 website it states that if you are on the Carphone Warehouse with O2 contract, you do need a PAC code

Anyone got a clear idea yet?

Cheers.

Personally I would rely on what it says on the O2 website rather than what some Customer Service character at CPW has told you over the phone.

You've nothing to lose by getting a PAC code because you don't have to use it. If it turns out that you need one then you have got it and you can use it. If it turns out that you don't need it, then it will just lapse after 30 days.

 

[roblawton]

Does anyone know if you are a O2 customer with the Carphone Warehouse whether you need to request a PAC code?

I have phoned the Carphone Warehouse customer support line and was told I don't need one and that on the day I buy the phone from the CW store, they will sort it out.

Sounds a bit confusing to me as on the O2 website it states that if you are on the Carphone Warehouse with O2 contract, you do need a PAC code

Anyone got a clear idea yet?

Cheers.

I work for o2/cpw - you do need a PAC code (although it's called a transfer code) just call customer services the week leading up to the iPhone releasing and you should get it then.

(if all else fails, PM me, and I'll call you with it when we're allowed to release them)

 

[The_Roo]

I work for o2/cpw - you do need a PAC code (although it's called a transfer code) just call customer services the week leading up to the iPhone releasing and you should get it then.

(if all else fails, PM me, and I'll call you with it when we're allowed to release them)

Thanks Rob, I appreciate it. I called O2 at the CPW a little earlier and the guy I spoke to didn't really seem to know what's going on.

It still says on the CPW warehouse iPhone page that you need a PAC code. Looking at it though, it looks like it has just been copied from the O2 site info.

If I can't get any joy early next week, I'll come back to you and it would be great if you can help.

What day is best to call O2 at the CPW for the transfer code?

 

[CD3660]

I called O2 at the CPW a little earlier and the guy I spoke to didn't really seem to know what's going on.

This has been my experience with O2 Customer Services throughout. Nobody seems to have a clue, or you get a different answer from each person you speak to!