Trouble Porting Tesco Mobile Number to Vodafone – Not Recognized as Tesco Number

[akshaykumar]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to port my prepay number from Tesco Mobile to Vodafone, but I'm running into an issue. When I submit my porting request, Vodafone doesn't seem to recognize my number as coming from Tesco Mobile. I’ve double-checked everything on my end, but it still won’t work.

A few details:
- I’ve already registered my number with Tesco Mobile and it’s a single line on a prepay plan.
- I haven't tried for the PAC code from Tesco Mobile as it's a prepay plan. I'm getting Tesco OTP when Vodafone tries to request/register the porting process in their software.
- Vodafone seems to be having trouble identifying the number as a Tesco one.

Has anyone else experienced something like this? Could it be because Tesco Mobile operates on O2’s network? Any advice on how to fix this or what might be causing the problem?

Thanks!

[Jason]

Hi @akshaykumar. To transfer your mobile number over to Vodafone, you'll need a PAC from your existing network provider. When you've got your PAC from Tesco Mobile (by texting PAC to 65075 for free from your Tesco Mobile phone), you'll be asked to enter it, along with the number you'd like to transfer over to Vodafone -  you can do this by logging in with the temporary Vodafone mobile number we gave you here. If you encounter an error, please take a screenshot so that we can take a look (please don't include any personal information on the screenshot). 

[akshaykumar]

Hi, @Jason The store agent doesn't mention it or ask for PAC. 

[Jason]

That's concerning to hear. To transfer from Tesco Mobile to Vodafone, I can assure you @akshaykumar that you'll need a PAC. You can read more about this on our 'Move my number to Vodafone' web page. 

[Racal-Yodafone]

I second @Jason 's concern. In 2003, Ofcom published their General Conditions of Entitlement for operation of telecoms networks. Condition 18 outlines the process of porting a number from one network to another. This process requires the issuing of a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC), usually referred to, incorrectly, as a "PAC code". A number cannot be ported without an attendant PAC. The PAC is the security layer to prevent malpractice or unsolicited transfer of a number to a different network. I had a long conversation with the CEO/COO of a long defunct MVNO around a decade ago after my number at the time ended up being ported incompletely. Outbound was still identified as the temporary number yet incoming was accepted via the ported number which is when the CEO/COO got involved and eventually he rectified it but we had a long nerdy conversation about porting. I mention that because, even with a PAC, porting can sometimes go wrong. Without a PAC, porting cannot take place and this has been the case since 2003 so over 20 years. Everyone involved in front-of-house at any MNO or MVNO should know this! No PAC, no transfer.

[akshaykumar]

Hi @Jason and @Racal-Yodafone,

I talked with the agent in Vodafone today and she mentioned Vodafone is using an internal porting method that doesn't require a PAC code and instead relies on verification via OTP to confirm ownership of the number. This could be a streamlined method they’ve implemented recently.

[Racal-Yodafone]

I can see that such a system could work but it removes a layer of security as possession of the SIM card currently holding the number to be ported would allow the number to be ported without the owner's consent, theoretically. This is a really interesting situation but not as much as it is frustrating for you. Have you requested a PAC from Tesco Mobile? Perhaps the way forward is to get a PAC from Tesco then go to a different Vodafone store and ask them to start the porting process. Alternatively, get the PAC and complete the process by phoning Vodafone? Either way, I hope you succeed in getting your number ported to Vodafone! 🙂

[akshaykumar]

@Racal-Yodafone I haven't requested a PAC code from Tesco yet. I tried doing it online, but encountered an error during the final step. When I asked an agent if it's possible to request porting through online or by phone, she informed me that it's not possible. I have broadband and a Tesco SIM (in process of converting it). I already have another vodafone SIM. She mentioned that having two SIMs and broadband gives me a good offer. I'm concerned that if I try to do it online, I might lose this offer.

[Gemma]

Morning @akshaykumar - for us to look at porting your number over from Tesco or any other network, you'll please need to request your PAC from the current provider for that mobile number. 

[akshaykumar]

@Gemma @Racal-Yodafone @Jason it seems like a technical issue with Vodafone. The SIM got ported without PAC.