Changing Phone Providers

[smurfchops]

I want to move from Orange to Tesco, buy a new phone and get a SIM monthly deal keeping my phone number. To keep my contacts, I have been told to have my phone unlocked. I can then have the new sim from Tesco put in the old phone, and my contacts put on the new Tesco SIM. Do I have the phone unlocked after the end of the Orange contract, and I have a feeling I have to leave the phone overnight with the 'unlocker', is this correct? Could they make calls on my phone ? Also as my contract ends at the beginning of Feb, when should I get a PAC number to give to Tesco and cancel with Orange? All very complicated ... Hope this is clear ... Thanks all.

[bednobs]

do you have a smartphone? if so you wont have to do all that. When i switched to tesco, the guys in the shop were extremely helpful and did it all for me

[gingejbee]

Step-by-step instructions......


http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/3341805/how-change-mobile-providers-keep-your-phone-number/

[smurfchops]

I have asked our local 'phone unlocking person' about doing it. £25 plus they need to keep the phone for four days as they have to send it away ! Comments gratefully accepted. Tesco did say they would sort out the PAC number and sort out contacts to new phone but that I have to get phone unlocked and they can't do that. I think I will write a list of all my numbers and transfer manually when I get my new phone ...

[smurfchops]

The phone I am thinking of buying is just a Samsung Galaxy for £85 as I just want basics.