topic New SIM needed while keeping old number in Pay As You Go

New SIM needed while keeping old number

PV97 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:38:10 GMT

My very old (2009!) 'dumb' mobile is on O2 'classic Pay As You Go' and is beginning to fail. I have bought a new SIM-free smart mobile but the old SIM is large, not nano, so I need a new SIM. I want to stay with O2 and retain the old phone number. I've been told that I need to change my tariff, so I'm choosing £10 Big Bundle 'PAYG' (I don't anticipate using a lot of data). When I go through the O2 website to order a new SIM I can't see any option that guarantees I keep the same number. Does anyone have guidance for me on this, please?

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

MI5 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:47:12 GMT

@PV97

There's no need to change tariff at all.

Best way is to pop into your local O2 store, with photo ID, and ask the to do a sim swap to a new triple sim for you, which will retain your number and tariff.

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

gmarkj — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:47:56 GMT

You should visit your local o2 store @PV97 - if you take photo ID they should be able to set you up with a new sim and keep your current tariff.

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

TallTrees — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:56:26 GMT

Hi there @PV97

I don't think you have to change your classic PAYGO for another bundle.

All you want is another sim that fits in a new phone.

Classic is not offered now but you can keep what you have. Definitely you can keep your old number.

Don't do anything until you have taken advice and read everything and stay here for help

POP INTO LOCAL STORE FOR A REPLACEMENT SIM

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

TallTrees — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 09:57:51 GMT

Hey @PV97

Let us know all went well for you 😊

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

PV97 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:13:00 GMT

Thanks @MI5, @gmarkj and @TallTrees for rapid replies. But I've had very little help from visiting local O2 stores, and the 4445 helpline wasn't useful either. A local O2 store said they 'used to have a guru' who could do what I wanted, but now I'd have to ring 4445 (which had already got me nowhere). I'll read up on the links you've sent, and re-enter the conversation later. I don't especially need a tariff that covers many MB of data - I'm happy to use the internet from a PC instead. So maybe it's a good idea keeping Classic PAYG rather than the newer so-called PAYGs that need topping up monthly; on the other hand with the newer ones I'm sure I'd find benefits of accessing the internet on the move (e.g. real time traffic reports, screenshots rather than printouts of tickets, paying for parking).

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

MI5 — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:01:56 GMT

@PV97

If you do choose to go down the new sim route you can order a free one from here https://www.o2.co.uk/shop/sim-cards/pay-as-you-go

Then call O2 to migrate your number once you have activated the sim.

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

TallTrees — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:43:17 GMT

Good luck with whatever you choose to do. Act once think twice 🤔 @PV97

Used to be that the o2 stores were great and very helpful sorry to hear you're experience isn't so great 😢

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

PV97 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:59:45 GMT

Thanks for info so far. I've decided to change from O2 CLASSIC PAYG to O2 Big Bundle. I've received and loaded the necessary nano SIM (which came with a new number). I understand from previous replies on this forum that next I should activate the new SIM, and then migrate to keep the old phone number.

One problem is that O2 classifies Big Bundle as a PAYG (even though it isn't really - never mind), and all their online info caters for migrating from PAYG to Pay Monthly, or vice versa, but not migrating from one PAYG to another.

Also, on the day I received my new SIM I was phoned by a helpful O2 representative, and they insisted that I would need to get my PAC code in order to do what I wanted. I had understood that PAC codes needed to be advised if changing between providers, but not if you're staying with O2.

So, any advice please on: how do I specify a change from CLASSIC PAYG to Big Bundle; and do I need a PAC even though I'm staying with O2?

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

MI5 — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:24:54 GMT

@PV97

You just need to migrate your number as per my answer above.

No PAC needed.

Re: New SIM needed while keeping old number

pgn — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:29:16 GMT

@PV97 visit an o2 shop with both sims, phone and some photo id. They will also make sure you do not lose any balance on old SIM in the process.

Good luck!