Switching from Vectone Mobile to giffgaff? It's a straightforward process to keep your existing phone number.
Step 1: Get a PAC Code from Vectone Mobile
If you’d like to move your phone number from Vectone Mobile to giffgaff, the first step is getting your Porting Authorisation Code (or PAC Code) from Vectone Mobile.
There are two ways to get a PAC Code from Vectone Mobile:
- By Text Message: You can get a Vectone Mobile PAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text PAC to 65075 to receive a PAC Code from Vectone Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a PAC Code by calling Vectone Mobile. To do this, call them on 322 using your Vectone Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7179 0134 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vectone Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-8pm).
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 Vectone Mobile: it'll be closed automatically when your phone number is transferred to giffgaff.
Don’t want to keep your Vectone Mobile phone number? You can switch to giffgaff without taking your phone number with you. If you'd like to do this, get a STAC Code from Vectone Mobile instead.
Vectone Mobile STAC Code (Leave Vectone Mobile Without Keeping Your Number)
If you’d like to leave Vectone Mobile without keeping your phone number, you’ll need to request a STAC Code rather than a PAC Code. There are two ways to get a STAC Code from Vectone Mobile:
- By Text Message: You can get a Vectone Mobile STAC Code sent to you via SMS text message. Text STAC to 75075 to receive a STAC Code from Vectone Mobile.
- By Phone: You can get a STAC Code by calling Vectone Mobile. Call them on 322 using your Vectone Mobile handset. Alternatively, dial 020 7179 0134 from any other phone. You'll need to call during Vectone Mobile's opening hours (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday 8am-8pm).
Once you’ve gotten your STAC Code from Vectone Mobile, the rest of the process for joining giffgaff remains the same.
Step 2: Order your new phone or SIM card from giffgaff's website
You should now order your new phone or SIM card using the giffgaff website. Please select the type of tariff you're intending to move to:
If you're looking for a SIM card from giffgaff, the following deals from £6/month are currently most popular:
| Network | Data | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2GB data | £6.00 per month 1 month rolling | See deal |
| 6GB data | £8.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 60GB data | £10.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
Offer ends 4th Dec | 120GB data | £15.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
| Unlimited data | £25.00 per month 18 month contract | See deal |
For a full list of available tariffs and the latest giffgaff deals, please refer to this page on giffgaff's website.
giffgaff 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 giffgaff.
Step 3: Give the PAC Code to giffgaff
Once your new phone or SIM card arrives from giffgaff, 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 giffgaff and provide them with your PAC Code from Vectone Mobile.
Your PAC Code should be entered on giffgaff's online form.
If you have a STAC Code from Vectone Mobile rather than a PAC Code, this can be provided to giffgaff in the exact same way.
Remember:
- You must provide the PAC Code to giffgaff within 30 days of it being issued by Vectone Mobile. If the PAC Code has already expired, you'll need to return to step 1 and request a new PAC Code from Vectone Mobile.
- Vectone Mobile Pay As You Go customers: Try to use up your remaining credit as it can't be transferred to giffgaff.
Step 4: Phone Number Transferred (Next Working Day)
As long as you've submitted your PAC Code to giffgaff before 3pm, your phone number transfer will normally be scheduled for the next working day (Monday to Friday only, excluding English bank holidays). After 3pm, 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 giffgaff. You should find that the giffgaff 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 giffgaff, your account on Vectone Mobile will automatically be closed. You'll receive a final bill from Vectone Mobile for any outstanding charges.
Get the Latest Deals from giffgaff →
Any Other Questions?
In case of any problems during the transfer of your phone number, you should contact your new mobile network (giffgaff) 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"
Sally said:
I’ve got my PAC No from Vectone. I’m moving to GiffGaff – who seem good. The instructions say to check the GiffGaff SIM works. What does this mean ? Do I register the GiffGaff SIM & put money on it then put the SIM in my phone and see if I can phone out & receive calls ? Then change back to my Vectone SIM. Tell GiffGaff my PAC No. Wait till the Vectone SIM doesn’t work. Then put the GiffGaff SIM into the phone and the Vectone phone No will have transferred to GiffGaff & away I go.
So 1. What exactly do I do to check the GiffGaff SIM works ?
2. On the day of the transfer do I keep the Vectone SIM in the phone till the transfer to GiffGaff has completed and then swap the GiffGaff SIM in ? Thanks (it’s a while since I’ve done this!!!)
Ken replied:
Hi Sally,
Many thanks for your question. Yes, I’d put the giffgaff SIM card in your mobile phone and just make sure everything works correctly (e.g. that your mobile phone accepts the SIM card, that you’re able to get coverage where you live and make outgoing phone calls, etc). Once you’ve done that, you can give your PAC Code to giffgaff and move your phone number over (strictly speaking, it isn’t necessary to make sure your giffgaff SIM card actually works but I’d always recommend doing this whenever possible to avoid potential problems at a later date e.g. sometimes people forget to unlock their mobile phone, and are then left without a working SIM card until that problem is resolved).
With regards to 2, yes, I would leave your Vectone Mobile SIM card in until the coverage disappears. You can then switch it for your giffgaff SIM card which will then have your phone number transferred to it.
Hope this helps,
Ken