On July 1st, 2019, new rules came into force to make switching mobile networks a lot easier in the UK.
Before that, it was necessary to contact your old mobile network if you wanted to switch. They could try to keep you on their network. This might be with a cheaper tariff, but in so many cases it was forcing you to pay a notice period. This meant having to pay for 2 contracts for up to a month. Faced with that, a lot of people thought that it wasn't worth the effort to switch and they'd stay with their existing network.
All that has changed
From July 1st, 2019, customers can text their network if they want to leave. The network should respond within 1 minute, no matter what time of the day or night it is.
Text to Switch
There are 3 options. Don't worry, all of the text messages are free too.
Option 1 — Find out if you need to pay.
First things first. find out if you owe your current network any money. Although notice periods have been removed, you are still obliged to fulfil your contract with the network. If you wish to leave a contract early, then you may have to pay money.
Text Info to 85075
Your network will respond with information on your current contract and how much it costs to exit the contract.
Option 2 — Get a PAC code.
If you are ready to switch networks in the very near future (within 30 days) and you want to keep your existing phone number then you need a PAC number from your existing network.
You will need to keep the PAC code and give it to your new network. It normally takes a day or so to transfer your phone number from your old network to your new network.
Text Pac to 65075
Option 3 — Switch and get a new number.
If you are not that bothered about keeping your old number then that's just as easy.
Text Stac to 75075
The STAC text is a note to your current network that you want to leave. They will reply with the STAC code and details about any outstanding money. You just need to give this code to your new network and they'll provide you with a new number.
Option 4 — Speak to a person
A trilogy of options in 4 parts? Text-to-Switch might not be for everyone. If you would prefer to speak to an advisor about switching then you can always call your existing network.