Upgrade early/buy out contract

[Anonymous]

My contract runs out in February, but I've bee told I can pay £120 to upgrade early to the iphone 5s on Friday.

However, my contract has always been in my mums name so whenever I phone up they have to speak to her. I want to change this to my name.

So.. Can I get my mum to phone up Thursday night and buyout the contract for £120, then phone up Friday morning and get the 5s on a new contract under my name?

And can I get a puc code on Thursday night so I can keep my number?

[perksie]

I would try again, it may depend on who you speak to.

We were given that advice on here by O2 staff that this can be done without going to a business contract.

[Anonymous]

That's what I thought. I spoke to two different people. T

[perksie]

How about my first suggestion, get the new contract and phone then try a name change again?

[Anonymous]

Hi Longshanks1

You can transfer your existing number (the one currently in your mum's name) and move it over to a brand new O2 consumer account in your own name. I know that you can do this because I work in the department that arranges these types of migrations.

First of all you need to apply for the brand new contract for the iPhone 5S in your own name on Friday by either going to store/calling Sales/online via O2 website. This will involve you passing a credit check, and then ordering the phone which will create a brand new account with a brand new temporary number.

Once you have received your new phone, you then need to be with your mum and call 202 and ask to speak to the Upgrades and Disconnections team and explain that you are looking to do a consumer duplicate account migration (the advisor should know what you mean by this).

Give them the existing number that you wish to keep (the one that is currently in your mum's name) and then the brand new number you have been given for your new contract that you wish to transfer the number to. They will need to speak to both account holders (you and your mum) to action your request.

You will then be transferred to the Re-contracts department who will arrange the migration of your number, which will in turn cancel the account in your mum's name and mean that your old number becomes active on your new contract for the iPhone 5S (replacing the temporary new number you were given for your new contract).

One thing I would add though, is to find out how much your termination fee will be first, as this is not always the same as your early upgrade fee. Your early upgrade fee is normally cheaper than the full cost to cancel (termination fee) so you may find it would cost more than £120.00 to transfer your number at this point in your contract.

Hope this helps

[perksie]

Hi again MissCahill

Thanks for picking up on this question, I was fairly sure it could be done so it's good to get some accurate advice.

[adamtemp64]

Perhaps this needs a guide post created by misscahill and added to the pay monthly faq? so we can point people there when needed.

[Anonymous]

So Miss Cahill,

I buy a new contract on the 5s in my name. Then when the phone arrives I will be able to buyout my current contract therefore ending it, but can transfer the number to my new contract/sim???

I will check the buyout price is he same as the early upgrade price first..

[perksie]

I would save a copy of Miss Cahill's post so you know the procedure to follow.

Let us know how you get on, good luck!

[jonsie]

It sounds simple enough although I fear the difficulty will be getting your hands on the 5S in an acceptale time period.

[perksie]

Very good point from jonsie, on previous form there may not be many iPhone 5 phones around.