How To Cancel Your Tesco Mobile Contract: Exit Fees, Notice & Your Phone Number

There are three ways to cancel your contract with Tesco. Find out how to cancel your Tesco Mobile contract, including exit fees, notice periods and keeping your Tesco number.

If you've decided you want to end your Tesco Mobile contract, there are three different ways you can cancel your contract with them. The best way to cancel your Tesco Mobile plan depends on whether you're planning to join another network. It also depends on whether you'd like to keep your Tesco phone number, or whether you'd like to start afresh with a new one on your next mobile network.

In this article, we'll discuss the three different ways to cancel your contract with Tesco Mobile. We'll discuss the Tesco Mobile PAC Code process, the Tesco Mobile STAC Code process and Tesco Mobile's standard cancellation process. We'll also discuss any early exit fees and notice periods that might apply when ending your contract through each of the three methods. Finally, we'll share a couple of tips on how you might be able to avoid paying these extra charges.

Cancelling Your Tesco Mobile Contract

There are three ways to cancel your contract with Tesco Mobile. Please select the option that best applies to you:

• I'm joining another network and would like to keep my Tesco phone number
  Follow the PAC Code process to cancel your Tesco Mobile contract and to take your phone number elsewhere.
• I'm joining another network and would like to start afresh with a new phone number
  Use the STAC Code process to cancel your Tesco Mobile contract.
• I'm not moving to another mobile network
  Follow Tesco Mobile's standard cancellation process (a 30-day notice period will apply).

How To Cancel Your Tesco Contract: The Three Different Ways

The following table shows a side-by-side comparison of the three ways to cancel your Tesco Mobile contract:

Tesco Cancellation Process	Joining New Network?	Cancellation Method	Notice Period & Charges*
PAC Code	✔ Yes (with number)	Online, SMS or phone	Not required
STAC Code	✔ Yes (without number)	Online, SMS or phone	Not required
Standard Cancellation	✘ No	Phone	30 days' notice is required

* If you're within the minimum term of your contract, early exit fees from Tesco will apply on all three cancellation methods.

Read on to find out more about each cancellation process, including all the steps you'll need to take to cancel your contract with Tesco Mobile.

PAC Code Cancellation

The most common way to cancel your contract with Tesco Mobile is by following the PAC Code process (also known as the Porting Authorisation Code process). This is the cancellation method you should normally use if you're leaving Tesco Mobile to join another mobile network. You’ll take your phone number with you to the new network when following the PAC Code process.

You can get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile in one of the following three ways:

1. Online: You can get a PAC Code from Tesco by logging in to the Tesco Mobile account website. Once you've logged in, go to Request a PAC.
2. By Text Message: You can get a Tesco Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Tesco.
3. By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Tesco Mobile. To do this, call them on 4455 using your Tesco handset. Alternatively, dial 0345 301 4455 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Tesco's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm).

For step-by-step instructions on following the PAC Code process, please select the mobile network that you’re planning to join:

The PAC Code process is closely regulated by Ofcom (the UK's telecommunications regulator). You can therefore get a PAC Code from Tesco Mobile in three different ways: either online, by text message or phone call.

There's no need to give 30 days' notice to end your contract with a PAC Code. Providing you're outside the minimum term of your contract, Tesco Mobile can only charge you up until the date when your PAC Code is used. If you're inside the minimum term of your contract, early exit fees may still apply.

STAC Code Cancellation

Tesco Mobile's STAC Code cancellation process (Service Termination Authorisation Code) is also used when you're moving to another mobile network. However, with a Tesco STAC Code, you'll start afresh with a different phone number on your new mobile network.

For step-by-step instructions on how to follow the Tesco Mobile STAC Code process, please select the mobile network that you're planning to join:

Like the PAC Code cancellation process, the STAC Code process is also closely regulated by Ofcom. Compared to Tesco's standard cancellation process, the advantage of using a Tesco Mobile STAC Code when you're outside the minimum term of your contract is that Tesco will only be able to charge you up until the date your STAC Code is used (a 30-day notice period does not apply). If you're within the minimum term of your contract, an early exit fee may still apply.

Tesco Mobile Standard Cancellation

Tesco's standard cancellation process should only be used when you're not joining another mobile network. With the standard cancellation process, you'll need to call Tesco Mobile to tell them you want to end your contract. A 30 day notice period will then apply, over which you'll need to continue paying your normal monthly line rental.

Because the standard cancellation process involves a lot more hassle (including a phone call to Tesco customer services) and because it requires you to give 30 days' notice, we'd always recommend using the PAC Code or STAC Code process to cancel your contract where possible. In fact, you can simply order a free Pay As You Go SIM card from any mobile network (you'll then be able to follow the PAC Code or STAC Code process).

You can request a standard cancellation by calling Tesco Mobile customer services on 4455. This is available from Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.

If you're cancelling your contract within the first 14 days, you may still be within Tesco's cooling off period. In this case, early termination charges might not apply.

Early Exit Fees on Tesco

If you're inside the minimum term of your contract with Tesco Mobile, you'll need to pay something called an "early termination charge" (ETC) or "early exit fee". This will essentially pay off the remainder of your contract.

If you’re cancelling your contract early on Tesco Mobile, you’ll need to pay an Early Termination Charge.

According to the Tesco Mobile terms and conditions, this “will never be more than your monthly subscription price multiplied by the number of months remaining on your contract”. There’s a discount of “approximately 3% for any benefit [Tesco Mobile] might
receive from no longer providing you service on [their] Network“.

You can find out the early termination charge that applies to your contract by texting INFO to 85075.

An early exit fee will apply regardless of whichever cancellation process you follow. If it's likely you'll need to pay an early cancellation charge, consider the alternatives here that will allow you to side-step those charges (e.g. upgrading your mobile phone outside of the existing contract with Tesco, or using apps and accessories to improve the coverage at home).

Alternatives

If you're stuck within the minimum term of your Tesco Mobile contract, there may be alternatives to cancelling it (e.g. perhaps changing your handset outside of the Tesco Mobile contract or finding other ways to improve your coverage from Tesco).

If you'd like to reduce the size of your Tesco mobile phone bill, there may also be some alternative networks that will offer you a cheaper deal but with the same level of coverage as Tesco.

Changing Your Handset

If you're wanting to upgrade to a newer smartphone, you can follow the PAC Code or STAC Code cancellation process when moving to another mobile network.

If you're stuck within the minimum term of your Tesco Mobile contract, it's likely this would trigger an early termination charge. To avoid this, consider keeping your existing Tesco Mobile contract but changing your handset outside of it.

You can buy an unlocked SIM-free smartphone from retailers like Amazon or the Carphone Warehouse. Your existing Tesco Mobile SIM card will slot inside the new handset, allowing you to use the remaining months on your contract. When your existing Tesco Mobile contract finally comes to an end, you can then switch to a lower-cost SIM-only deal.

Poor Tesco Mobile Coverage

If you'd like to cancel your contract due to poor mobile coverage from Tesco, it's likely that an early termination charge would still apply if you're inside the minimum term of your contract.

To avoid paying an unnecessary early termination fee, look to see if you're able to improve the coverage from Tesco. For instance, it might be possible to use a feature like Wi-Fi Calling for better indoor coverage on Tesco Mobile.

In addition, it's worth contacting Tesco customer services to see if anything else can be done to improve the coverage where you live. You can reach them by calling 4455 from your Tesco mobile phone. For instance, there might be upcoming work scheduled in your area to improve the strength of the signal. Alternatively, Tesco Mobile might be able to provide you with apps or accessories to improve the coverage where you live.

Alternatives to Tesco Mobile

If you're fairly happy with the coverage you get on Tesco Mobile, you could consider getting a cheaper SIM-only deal that also piggybacks on O2 coverage.

On giffgaff, O2, Sky Mobile and Virgin Mobile, you'll get the same coverage as you currently get on Tesco Mobile. This is because all five mobile networks use coverage from O2.

You can use the following the interactive search tool to find an alternative to Tesco Mobile that also uses O2 coverage:

For more information, see our full guide to mobile networks that use O2 coverage.

More Information

For more information, read our in-depth guide to early exit fees and how to transfer your phone number to another network. You can also see the Tesco Mobile website for information about cancelling your contract.