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Porting your mobile number is simply the process of taking your existing number to a new service with a new mobile provider. "Porting" is basically the same as transferring, where you get to keep your original phone number and take it either to a different network or a different provider.
Keeping your number when you switch plans is easy. Here's how.
Compare mobile plans or identify the one you want. Don't cancel your existing plan until your number has been safely ported, or you'll lose it.
Once you have your SIM from online or in-store, activate it. During this process, let them know you want to keep your old number and they'll handle the transfer for you.
If you've moved your existing number over, your old plan should cancel automatically. Alternatively, you can safely cancel your old plan by letting your previous provider know.
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Porting your mobile number should never take more than two days, in almost all cases. For many customers, the transfer will be done in a matter of hours.
The standard hours of number porting are:
Note that number porting won't take place outside of the standard hours above. Porting is also paused during public holidays.
Australian consumer law guarantees that you can transfer your number to a new provider no matter what. Here's what is involved in the process:
For porting a mobile number, the account name shouldn't matter at all. Account verification is done using account numbers on a postpaid plan, and dates of birth on a prepaid plan. If you're trying to transfer ownership of a number, you shouldn't have a problem so long as the number's previous owner authorises the transfer.
You should be able to use your old SIM all the way up until the moment the number port has been completed. Once the port is finished, you'll no longer get service on your old SIM and it's time to switch over to your new SIM.
You'll be able to use your phone throughout the porting process, since the basic functions of your phone will still work without service – you just won't be able to make calls, send texts or use mobile data if the current SIM isn't active.
Once you've transferred a number over from one account to another, your old service should cancel automatically, though you can contact your previous provider to make sure. You will probably still receive one or two bills to finalise your account, and if you're on a contract you'll have to settle any fees if you've exited it early.
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I already have a mobile phone, with no service and I am finding it difficult to get the right plan for me. 1).I can pay up to $50 per month. 2) need unlimited national calls. 3) Have access to internet.
Hi Fay,
Thank you for leaving a question.
While we do not provide specific product recommendations, we can help guide you through the process of comparing options. Please click on this link for you to be able to check the plans available for comparing. The page can also be filtered further by company, cost, usage type and others for your convenience. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
An important consideration in selecting a provider is if international roaming is available, and in what countries. I go overseas each year.
Hi Den Den,
Thanks for your question.
Global roaming service varies widely among the service providers in Australia. Some of the providers we’ve listed that offer this service are listed on this page. On the same page, you will find the rates they charge for a specific destination/country.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May