Porting Authorisation Code
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Porting Authorisation Code (PAC) is a unique identifier which mobile and fixed-line telephone network providers (in the UK and various other countries) issue to a customer so they can port their number to another network.
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[edit] United Kingdom
Telecommunications service is regulated in the UK by Ofcom. On 25th July 2003, Ofcom introduced the General Conditions of Entitlement which apply to all communications networks and service providers in the UK.
Condition 18 requires all providers to provide number portability but only to subscribers of publicly available telephone services who request it. Number portability must be provided as soon as practicable and on reasonable terms to subscribers and bilateral porting arrangements between providers must accord with agreed processes.
- 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.
If the customer is on a fixed term contract, they will often be expected to pay any outstanding sums owed to the end of the contract before they can port their number. Some mobile phone companies can charge a fee to move your number. This is usually no more than £25. The provider must issue you a PAC within 2 working days of your request even if you have not paid your bill.
- See also
[edit] Orange UK
As of 2006 Orange have changed their policy on Porting Authorisation Codes such that they will no longer issue them over the phone.If you request a PAC from Orange they will send it out via a letter, through Post which can take 5 to 7 working days excluding the bank holidays. If customer doesn't receive the PAC within that period then Orange Sends PAC through a Text Message. Orange claims that this is an OFCOM requirement and Subject to Orange Policies. Caution - if you decide not to use your PAC within 30 days, then your contract will not terminate.
[edit] Vodafone UK
As of 2007, Vodafone policy for people joining the network is that a PAC code has to be given prior to a new account being set up - there is no ability at all to port across the number at a later date under Vodafone terms and conditions, short of canceling the contract and starting again.
As of May 6, 2008: Vodafone UK policy to issue a PAC for contract customers is as follows: (a) Customer must write (that's snailmail write) to Vodafone giving 30 days notice of termination. (b) Vodafone then issue a final bill (c) Once final bill is paid, Vodafone UK issue a PAC by post (yep: snailmail again)
[edit] O2 UK
O2 takes not more than two working days to send the PAC. Generally this is sent via SMS and is valid for one calendar month.
[edit] Virgin Mobile UK
Virgin Mobile send PAC codes to the customer's registered home address, usually arriving within 2 working days. Although they used to also send the PAC via SMS this is no longer the case.
[edit] Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile give the customer their PAC code over the phone when they request it, and provide confirmation in writing within a few days of the enquiry.
[edit] T-Mobile
T-Mobile give the customer their PAC code over the phone when they request it, and provide confirmation in writing within a few days of the enquiry. The codes start with ONE followed by a six digit number. The 'ONE' makes reference to T-Mobile's previous name of One2One.
[edit] Three
Three give the customer their PAC code over the phone as well as sending an SMS with the PAC code. The codes start with HTG followed by a six digit number, this being an abbreviation of Hutchinson Telecommunications Group.
