Switching from Lebara Mobile to Three? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Lebara Mobile to Three, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Lebara Mobile.
There are three ways to get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile:
- Online: You can get a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile by logging in to the Lebara Mobile website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lebara Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Lebara Mobile. To do this, call them on 5588 using your Lebara Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 3059 0304 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lebara Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 9am-5.30pm).
Here are some key things to know:
- A PAC Code is 9 digits long and follows the format ABC 123 456.
- Your PAC Code is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it during this time, the PAC Code will expire and you'll need to request a new one.
- You shouldn't close your account at Lebara Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to Three.
Don’t want to keep your Lebara Mobile phone number? You can switch to Three without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile instead.
Lebara Mobile STAC Code (Leave Lebara Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Lebara Mobile without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are three ways to get a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile:
- Online: You can get a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile by logging in to the Lebara Mobile website.
- By Text Message: You can get a Lebara Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Lebara Mobile. Call them on 5588 using your Lebara Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 3059 0304 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Lebara Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 9am-5.30pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Lebara Mobile, the rest of the process for joining Three remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from Three's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the Three website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from Three, the following deals from £5/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3GB data | £5.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1 | See deal |
| 12GB data | £6.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.25 | See deal |
| 30GB data | £7.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.25 | See deal |
| 120GB data | £10.00 per month 12 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.50 | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £20.00 per month 24 month contract Monthly cost will rise each April by £1.50 | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest Three deals, please refer to this page on Three's website.
Alternatively, if you're getting your Three plan from a reseller, tap on their logo for more information:
Three will assign you with a temporary phone number during the transition process. This will allow you to test out the service before you finally transfer your phone number to Three.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to Three
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from Three, switch it on and make sure everything's working properly. If, for whatever reason, you need to return or change the handset or SIM card, it's best to do this before transferring your phone number.
Once you're happy to continue with the phone number transfer, contact Three and provide them with your PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on Three's online form. Alternatively, you can give the PAC Code to Three by calling 333 on your Three handset. You can also call 0333 338 1001 from any other phone.
If you have a STAC Code from Lebara Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to Three in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to Three within 30 days of it being issued by Lebara Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Lebara Mobile.
- Lebara Mobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to Three.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to Three before 5pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 5pm, you'll need to wait one extra working day for your number to be transferred.
On the day of the transfer, you'll momentarily lose coverage on both mobile networks. When this happens, restart your handset on Three. You should find that the Three phone or SIM card will now associated with your original phone number.
- If you see an error message (e.g. "SIM card registration failed"), this means it's time to restart your phone.
- Once the phone number has been transferred to Three, your account on Lebara Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Lebara Mobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from Three →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (Three) with details of the problem.
If you have any other questions on using a PAC Code, please see my in-depth guide to transferring your phone number between networks. You can also read the comments below from other visitors to this website.
← Full Article: "PAC Codes - How to transfer your mobile number when switching networks"
OLA said:
My name is Ola and i am switching from Lebara to three network, i walked into your store to make the change on Saturday 19th October 2019 and as we speak am still on lebara network . i have been moved and its over 72 hours .
Ken replied:
Hi Ola,
Thanks for your comment. There’s more information here on the expected timeframe for phone number transfers, but in short: if you provided your PAC Code on a Saturday, I’d normally expect the phone number transfer to take place on a Tuesday. If the number still hasn’t transferred by the end of today, it might be worth giving Three a call on 333 to check on the status of your transfer.
Ken