TL;DR
- Text PAC to 65075 from your current mobile number to receive your Porting Authorisation Code instantly by text and email — your operator must provide it within one minute.
- You then give the PAC code to your new operator when signing up; they initiate the port on your behalf without you needing to contact your old provider again.
- The port must complete by the end of the next working day after the new operator submits it — that is the Ofcom deadline.
- Your PAC code is valid for 30 days; if you do not use it within that period you will need to request a fresh one.
- If something goes wrong, your old operator must reconnect your service within two hours; compensation is available under Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme for significant delays.
The right to keep your number when you switch
Mobile number portability has been a consumer right in the UK since 1999. The principle is straightforward: your phone number belongs to you in a practical sense, not to your network operator, and you are entitled to take it with you when you switch provider. Without portability, switching networks would mean giving up a number that your contacts, your bank, your employer, and countless services may hold — a significant practical barrier. The PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) system is the mechanism Ofcom uses to make that right enforceable and operationally reliable.
The current PAC code process, introduced under Ofcom rules that came into force in July 2019, simplified and accelerated what had previously been a more cumbersome procedure. Under the current rules, consumers obtain their PAC code by text without needing to call their operator, and the new operator takes responsibility for completing the port. The old operator cannot obstruct the process or use it as an opportunity for a retention call unless the consumer explicitly consents to be transferred.
How to get a PAC code
The process begins with a single text message. Send the word PAC to the number 65075 from the mobile number you want to port. Your current operator must respond by text within one minute with your PAC code, along with information about any outstanding contract obligations such as an early termination fee that might apply. The operator must also email the PAC code if you have an email address registered on your account. The response will state when your contract ends and what, if any, early termination fee applies if you leave before that date. Ofcom rules explicitly prohibit operators from using this moment to pressure you into staying; they may provide information about current offers, but only if you request it.
Alternatively, you may request a PAC code by calling your operator’s customer service, though the text route is typically faster and avoids the wait-time and retention-call risk associated with phone contact. The PAC code you receive is unique to your number and your operator, is nine characters long, and remains valid for 30 calendar days from the date of issue.
| Step | Action | Who Does It | Ofcom Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Request PAC | Text PAC to 65075 from the number you want to port | You | Old operator must respond within 1 minute |
| 2. Choose new operator | Sign up for a new plan; provide PAC code when asked | You | PAC valid for 30 days from issue |
| 3. New operator submits port request | New operator sends port request to old operator using your PAC | New operator | No consumer action required |
| 4. Port completes | Number moves to new network; SIM or eSIM activates on new operator | Old and new operators | Must complete by end of next working day after port request submitted |
| 5. Brief outage during switch | Temporary loss of service as number transfers between networks | Operators | Must not exceed 2 hours under Ofcom rules |
What happens after you give the PAC code to your new operator
Once you provide the PAC code to your new operator — typically at the point of signing up for a new plan — you do not need to contact your old operator again. The new operator initiates the port by submitting the PAC code to the mobile number portability routing database that underpins the UK system. The old operator is obliged to release the number. You will receive notification of the planned porting date; this can often be the same day or the following day, subject to the cut-off times used by the operators involved.
During the port, your service will be briefly interrupted as your number is transferred between networks. Ofcom rules stipulate that this interruption must not exceed two hours. After the port completes, the old SIM card or profile becomes inactive and your new SIM or eSIM carries your number. Any calls or texts sent to your number during the brief interruption may be lost; callers will typically hear a message indicating the number is temporarily unavailable. The interruption generally occurs in the early hours of the morning to minimise disruption, though this varies by operator.
What to do if your port goes wrong
Porting problems are uncommon but do occur. Common failures include the port not completing by the Ofcom deadline, the number being ported to the wrong account, or the old service not being cancelled correctly after the port. If your number has not ported within the required timescale, contact your new operator in the first instance; they are responsible for the port process once you have submitted your PAC code to them. If the issue is not resolved promptly, you have the right to escalate to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, either the Ombudsman Services: Communications or the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS), which are Ofcom-approved ADR providers.
If your number was incorrectly ported away — a form of fraud known as port-out fraud or SIM swapping — contact your old operator immediately to have the port reversed. Ofcom expects operators to have verification processes in place to prevent unauthorised porting. If the failure causes a significant service outage, automatic compensation may be available under Ofcom’s automatic compensation rules, which require operators to pay set sums for each day of delayed service without requiring you to make a formal claim.
Early termination fees and when they apply
Requesting a PAC code does not itself trigger any charge. You only incur an early termination fee (ETF) if you are still within a minimum contract term and you proceed with the switch. The PAC response text is required to state any applicable ETF clearly so you can make an informed decision before committing. If you are outside your minimum term — for example, on a rolling monthly SIM-only plan or past the end of a 24-month contract — no ETF applies. If your operator has applied a mid-contract price rise above the threshold specified in Ofcom’s January 2024 rules, you may have the right to exit without an ETF even within a minimum term; check the Ofcom guidance on mid-contract price rises for the applicable conditions.
What this means in practice
Daniel has been on a 24-month handset plan and his contract ended two months ago. He has been meaning to switch to a cheaper SIM-only deal on a different network. He texts PAC to 65075 and receives his PAC code by text within 30 seconds, alongside confirmation that no early termination fee applies as he is outside his minimum term. He signs up for a SIM-only plan with a new operator online, entering the PAC code in the checkout process. The new operator initiates the port that afternoon. The following morning his new SIM activates with his existing number. He receives no interruption longer than 90 minutes, which occurs at 3am. His total effort is one text message and an online sign-up form.
Related Guides
How we verified this
This article draws on Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement (General Condition C8) governing mobile number portability, Ofcom’s July 2019 switching rules, Ofcom’s automatic compensation guidance, and GOV.UK guidance on switching mobile provider and dealing with complaints. The 65075 SMS shortcode is the official UK number portability request service mandated by Ofcom.
Disclaimer: Kaeltripton.com is an independent UK editorial publisher. We are not regulated by Ofcom or the FCA and we do not sell or arrange mobile services, insurance, or financial products. This content is for general information only and is not legal, financial, or technical advice. Rules, prices, and operator policies change. Verify the current position with Ofcom, GOV.UK, the ICO, or your provider before acting. ICO registered ZC135439. Last reviewed: 2026-06-05.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PAC code?
A PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) is a nine-character code issued by your current mobile operator that authorises the transfer of your phone number to a new operator. It is the key mechanism of UK mobile number portability. Providing it to your new operator when you sign up initiates the porting process. You do not need to contact your old operator again once you have given the PAC code to the new one.
How do I get a PAC code?
Text the word PAC to 65075 from the mobile number you want to port. Your current operator must reply within one minute with your PAC code by text, along with any applicable early termination fee information and contract end date. You can also request a PAC code by calling your operator’s customer service, but the text route is faster and avoids retention calls. The code is valid for 30 days.
How long does mobile number porting take?
Under Ofcom rules, the port must complete by the end of the working day following the day your new operator submits the port request. In practice, many ports complete within 24 hours of you providing the PAC code, and some operators complete them on the same day. There is a brief service interruption of up to two hours as the number transfers; this typically occurs overnight to minimise disruption.
What if my number does not port correctly?
Contact your new operator first, as they are responsible for managing the port process from the point you submitted your PAC code. If the port is significantly delayed, Ofcom’s automatic compensation rules may entitle you to compensation without a formal claim. For unresolved disputes, escalate to Ofcom’s approved ADR schemes: Ombudsman Services: Communications or CISAS. If you suspect your number was ported without your authorisation, contact your old operator immediately.
Can I port a mobile number to a landline?
No. Mobile number portability in the UK operates within the mobile numbering range (numbers beginning 07). Numbers cannot be ported between mobile and landline services. If you want to use a mobile number for calls routed to a landline, VoIP services may offer forwarding arrangements, but this is a different technical mechanism from number portability and is not regulated in the same way by Ofcom.
