HOW TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS MOBILE NUMBER WHEN SWITCHING
Moving your mobile phone service to EE Business? If you want to keep your mobile number (also known as ‘porting your number’), just follow these simple steps:
- Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to keep.
- You’ll get a PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) in a text back from your current provider.
- Give us your PAC when you choose your new mobile phone from EE Business. Shop phones
Already bought your new phone from us? Give us your PAC from the text (or a PAC given to you by the sales advisor), plus the number for your new EE SIM, on our switching form hosted on EE Personal’s website.
- We’ll switch your existing number to your new EE Business mobile phone within one working day.
More support with switching
These FAQs give more information about switching mobile phone provider:
Text to switch
To switch and keep your mobile number – text PAC to 65075
If you want to switch and keep your existing phone number, text PAC to 65075 to begin the process.
Your current provider will reply by text within a minute. They’ll send you your PAC, which will be valid for 30 days. Their reply must also include important information about any early termination charges or pay-as-you-go credit balances.
You then give the PAC to us and we’ll arrange for the switch to be completed within one working day.
This new process is designed to be quick and easy, so you could request your PAC while looking for a new deal – for example, while browsing for a new phone on our website, or in store.
To switch and get a new mobile number – text STAC to 75075
While most people want to keep their mobile number when they switch, around one in six do not.
To switch and get a new number, text STAC to 75075 to request a ‘service termination authorisation code’. The rest of the process is the same as above. This takes away the hassle of having to talk to your current provider if you simply want to leave them.
To find out more – text INFO to 85075
If you’re not sure whether you’re still in contract and if you would have to pay charges to end your contract early, you can text INFO to 85075 to find this out without requesting a switching code.
Switch to EE and keep your number (port number)
If you’re joining EE from another network, you’ll need 3 things to keep your mobile number (what’s known as ‘port number’ in the trade):
- Porting Authorisation Code (PAC)
You can get a PAC from your current mobile provider. With a PAC you can transfer your number from one network to another. PACs are valid for 30 days from the date they’re issued.
- Active EE SIM
When you join us, we’ll send you a new EE SIM. We’ll then transfer your existing mobile number to your new SIM.
- Temporary mobile number
This is the number on your new EE SIM. We’ll replace it with your existing mobile number – so we’ll need to know both numbers from you.
Got your PAC, your new SIM and your temporary number? Great. You can now transfer your current mobile number to EE online.
Do it before 17:30 on a working day, and we’ll port numbers on the next working day. After 17:30, at the weekend or on a bank holiday takes an extra working day to transfer.
Switch to EE and change phone number
When you join EE we’ll give you a new SIM with your new number. You don’t want to port numbers, so you won’t need a PAC from your current provider.
Instead, you’ll need to get a Service Termination Authority Code (STAC). A STAC switches off your current SIM and stops you being charged by two providers.
Switch a disconnected mobile number
If your mobile phone’s disconnected, move fast to switch the number to a new provider. You can only transfer a mobile number up to 31 days after it was disconnected. If you don’t switch before then, you won’t be able to use your disconnected number again.
Want to switch a disconnected EE Business number to a new provider? Here’s what you need to do:
- Call 150 free from an EE phone or call 07953 966 250 from any phone (standard mobile charges apply). We’re here to help every day between 08:00 and 18:00.
- We’ll check your details to make sure you can still switch.
- If you can, we’ll text a PAC to your preferred contact number. There’s no charge for this.
- Give your PAC to your new provider within 31 days of being disconnected.
Don’t delay – you’ll lose your number if you leave it too late! And we won’t be able to reactivate it.
Activate a replacement EE SIM
Already with EE and we’ve given you a new SIM? We’ll do this if your existing SIM doesn’t fit your new phone, for example. You’ll need to activate your replacement SIM online if you want to keep your current number.
Before the day you switch
It’s a good idea to back up your contact before your number is due to be transferred. There are two ways to do this:
- Copy the numbers you want to keep from your SIM to your phone, then after your number transfer copy them back to your new SIM. You’ll find instructions for doing this on a range of popular makes and models in our phones and devices section.
- Smartphone users can backup important information, like contacts, to the cloud. You can then restore this information from the cloud after your number's transferred to EE.
On the day you switch
We’ll send you two text messages:
- To let you know when we’ve started the transfer
- When we’ve transferred your number to EE
Everything happens automatically, so you won’t need to call us. But you’ll probably want to keep both phones with you.
When the service on your old phone stops, your new EE service will start.
And because you gave us a PAC or STAC before you switched, your current provider should stop billing you at the same time.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a little disruption – it can be normal to lose service for up to a few hours when a number transfers. So you may want to let your important contacts know in advance.
After your transfer day
You’ll need a PAC from your current provider if you want to keep your number (‘port number’, or a STAC if you want to change phone number.
Simply follow the same steps shown to port number or change phone number – with these differences.
To use your new EE SIM, you may need to unlock your device. Your current provider should be able to help you do this.
When you lose service on your old SIM, it’s time to put your EE SIM into your device.
Delays in switching
If there’s a delay in starting your service or moving your number to your new EE Business service (known as ‘porting’), you can claim for compensation.
What is First Network Attach?
‘First Network Attach’ is what triggers your switch to EE.
As soon as you put your new EE SIM into your device, we’ll automatically see this on the network. This connection is known as ‘First Network Attach’.
When we see First Network Attach we’ll:
- Request your number from your old provider if you’ve given us a PAC
- Request your old provider stops your service if you’ve given us a STAC
So it’s important you give us your PAC or STAC before First Network Attach.
How to switch a SIM-only plan
You’ll need a PAC from your current provider if you want to keep your number (‘port number’, or a STAC if you want to change phone number.
Simply follow the same steps shown to port number or change phone number – with these differences.
To use your new EE SIM, you may need to unlock your device. Your current provider should be able to help you do this.
When you lose service on your old SIM, it’s time to put your EE SIM into your device.