Switching Mobile Network

How to Change Network and Keep Control of Your Mobile Deal

Switching mobile network can help you get a lower price, better coverage, more data or a deal that suits you better.

However, switching is not only about finding the cheapest offer.

You should also check your current contract, any exit costs, the new network’s coverage and whether you want to keep your number.

The good news is that switching is now fairly simple.

So, this guide takes you through the process step by step.

Why Switch Mobile Network?

There are several reasons to consider changing network.

For example, you may want:

  • A lower monthly bill
  • Better signal
  • More mobile data
  • Better roaming
  • A SIM-only deal
  • A shorter contract
  • A different handset
  • Better customer service

Alternatively, your current contract may simply be ending.

If so, this is a good time to compare.

First, Check Your Current Contract

Before looking at new deals, check your existing mobile service.

Start with:

  • Your contract end date
  • Your current monthly price
  • Your data allowance
  • Any handset payments
  • Any exit charges
  • Your current network

This gives you a clear starting point.

Then, when you compare another deal, you can see whether it is really better.

Are You Still in Contract?

If you are still within your minimum contract period, leaving early may cost money.

For example, you may need to pay:

  • An early exit charge
  • Remaining handset payments
  • Other charges linked to the agreement

Therefore, check the cost before switching.

A cheaper new deal may not save money if leaving your old one is expensive.

Want to Check Your Contract Quickly?

You can text:

INFO

to:

85075

This can give you useful information about your current mobile agreement.

So, if you are not sure whether you are still in contract, this can be a useful first step.

Decide Whether You Need a New Phone

Before switching, ask one simple question:

Do I actually need a new handset?

If your current phone still works well, you may not need another one.

Instead, you could switch to a SIM-only deal.

This can often reduce the monthly cost.

So, do not automatically link changing network with buying a new phone.

Check Coverage Before You Switch

A low price is poor value if the signal is weak where you need it.

Therefore, check the new network’s coverage before signing up.

Think about:

  • Home
  • Work
  • Places you visit often
  • Regular travel routes

In addition, consider indoor coverage.

A network may work well outside but poorly inside a thick-walled building.

So, coverage should come before price.

Check Wi-Fi Calling

If indoor signal is weak, Wi-Fi Calling can help.

This lets your phone make and receive calls through Wi-Fi.

Therefore, if this matters to you, check that:

The network supports Wi-Fi Calling

and:

Your phone supports it too

This can make a big difference in homes with poor indoor signal.

Compare the Whole Deal

Do not compare mobile deals using the monthly price alone.

Also look at:

  • Data
  • Calls
  • Texts
  • Contract length
  • Roaming
  • Price rises
  • Upfront cost
  • Handset cost
  • Exit terms
  • Network coverage

Then work out the total cost.

That gives you a much better comparison.

Keeping Your Mobile Number

Most people want to keep their existing mobile number.

Fortunately, this is usually easy.

You need a PAC code.

PAC stands for:

Porting Authorisation Code

You then give the PAC to your new provider.

After that, your number can be moved to the new network.

How to Get a PAC Code

Text:

PAC

to:

65075

Your current provider should then send you the PAC and useful information about your account.

Next, give the PAC to your new provider.

Do not cancel your old service first.

Instead, let the number transfer process close the old service correctly.

How Long Is a PAC Valid?

A PAC normally lasts for a limited time.

Therefore, request it when you are ready to switch.

Do not get one months in advance and then forget about it.

If it expires, you can request another one.

What If You Do Not Want to Keep Your Number?

If you want to leave your current network but do not want to keep your number, you can request a STAC.

Text:

STAC

to:

75075

Then give the code to your new provider.

So, remember:

PAC = keep your number

STAC = leave without keeping it

Do Not Cancel First

This is one of the most important points.

If you want to keep your number, do not cancel your old mobile contract before moving it.

Instead:

Choose new deal → Get PAC → Give PAC to new provider

Then let the providers handle the transfer.

This reduces the risk of losing your number.

How Long Does the Number Transfer Take?

Number transfers are normally quick.

In many cases, they take place within one working day once the switch is ready.

However, weekends, bank holidays or technical problems can affect the timing.

Therefore, keep your old SIM until the transfer is complete.

Then check that:

  • Calls work
  • Texts work
  • Mobile data works
  • Your old number now appears on the new service

What Happens During the Transfer?

There may be a short period when service is interrupted.

For example, your old SIM may stop working before the new one fully activates.

If this happens, wait a little and restart the phone.

Then try the new SIM again.

Usually, the gap is short.

Physical SIM or eSIM?

Your new network may offer:

Physical SIM

or:

eSIM

A physical SIM is the small card placed inside the phone.

An eSIM, on the other hand, is added digitally.

This can make switching faster in some cases.

However, not every phone supports eSIM.

So, check before choosing.

Make Sure Your Phone Is Unlocked

Most modern UK phones are sold unlocked.

However, if you have an older handset, it is worth checking.

An unlocked phone can accept a SIM from another network.

If your phone is locked, contact your current provider and ask what you need to do.

Check Data Before Switching

Your data allowance can make a big difference to price.

Therefore, check how much you actually use.

For example, if you normally use 8 GB per month, you may not need a 100 GB plan.

On the other hand, if you regularly run out, a larger allowance may make sense.

So, choose based on real use.

Unlimited Data

Unlimited data can be useful.

However, do not assume it is always better value.

If you use very little data, you may simply be paying for something you do not need.

Therefore, compare the price difference.

Then decide whether unlimited data gives you a real benefit.

Check Roaming

Roaming rules can vary a lot between networks.

So, if you travel, check:

  • Which countries are included
  • Whether there is a daily charge
  • How much data you can use
  • Fair-use limits
  • Extra call charges

Do not assume that roaming in Europe is always free.

Instead, check your specific deal.

Check International Calls

International calls from the UK may also cost extra.

Therefore, if you call abroad often, look at:

  • Add-ons
  • Included countries
  • International rates
  • Internet calling apps

This can make a noticeable difference to the total cost.

Check Future Price Rises

A mobile deal may start at one price and rise later.

Therefore, check:

What do I pay now?

When does the price rise?

What will I pay after that?

Then include those increases when comparing the total contract cost.

Work Out the Total Cost

Suppose your new deal costs:

£15 per month for 12 months

Then rises to:

£18 per month for another 12 months

First:

£15 × 12 = £180

Then:

£18 × 12 = £216

So:

£180 + £216 = £396

If there is also a:

£50 upfront charge

the total becomes:

£446

This gives you a much clearer picture than simply seeing:

£15 per month

What About a New Handset?

If your new deal includes a phone, check the handset cost too.

Ask:

  • Is the device cost separate?
  • How long will I pay for it?
  • Is there an upfront charge?
  • What happens if I leave the airtime plan?
  • What happens when the phone is fully paid for?

Then compare this with buying the phone separately.

SIM-Only Switching

If you keep your existing phone, switching can be even simpler.

You only need to:

Choose the new SIM-only deal

Get your PAC if keeping your number

Activate the new SIM

Then, once the number moves, the switch is complete.

This can be one of the easiest ways to reduce mobile costs.

Check Any Extras

Some mobile deals include extras.

For example:

  • Streaming services
  • Cloud storage
  • Insurance
  • Music
  • Security software

These may be useful.

However, some can become chargeable later.

Therefore, ask:

Is this included for the whole contract?

Or only for a short time?

Then cancel anything you do not want before charges begin.

Keep Important Information Safe

Before switching, make sure important information is backed up.

For example:

  • Contacts
  • Photos
  • Messages
  • Notes
  • App data

Most of this is stored on the phone rather than the SIM.

However, backing up is still sensible before making changes.

What About Voicemail?

Voicemail settings may change when you move network.

Therefore, check your voicemail after the switch.

You may need to set up:

  • A new greeting
  • A new PIN
  • New voicemail settings

This is especially important if you use your mobile for business.

What About Two-Factor Authentication?

Many services send security codes to your mobile number.

For example:

  • Banks
  • Email accounts
  • Social media
  • Shopping apps

If you keep the same number, most of this should continue normally.

However, check that texts are arriving once the transfer is complete.

If something does not work, contact the service involved.

Can You Change Your Mind?

If you arrange a mobile contract online or over the phone, you will normally have a cooling-off period.

However, rules can differ depending on how the deal was set up and whether you have already started using the service.

Therefore, check the cancellation terms before agreeing.

If a handset is included, you may also need to return it in good condition.

What If the Switch Goes Wrong?

Most switches go smoothly.

However, problems can happen.

For example:

  • Your number may not transfer correctly
  • The new SIM may not activate
  • Calls may work but data does not
  • Text messages may be delayed

If this happens, contact the new provider first.

Keep:

  • PAC details
  • Order information
  • Dates
  • Messages
  • Complaint references

That makes it easier to fix the problem.

Switching for Better Coverage

Sometimes, switching is mainly about signal rather than price.

For example, your current network may be cheap but unreliable at home.

In that case, paying slightly more for a network that works properly may offer better value.

So, think about:

Price + Coverage + Reliability

not price alone.

Switching for Better Value

At other times, your signal may already be fine.

However, you may be paying for more than you need.

For example, you may have:

  • Too much data
  • An old handset payment
  • Expensive roaming
  • Extras you do not use

Therefore, changing plan or network can help reduce waste.

Business Mobile Switching

Business mobile contracts can be more complex.

For example, there may be:

  • Several numbers
  • Longer contracts
  • Shared data
  • Handset finance
  • Business support
  • International services

Therefore, businesses should check the full contract before moving.

In particular, make sure you understand any exit charges.

If several numbers need to move, speak to both providers before starting the transfer.

Compare Mobile Deals

Energility’s mobile comparison service is planned to launch in January 2027.

When it launches, we aim to help you compare:

SIM-only deals

Phone contracts

Data

Networks

Contract length

Coverage

and:

Total cost

However, the aim is not simply to push people towards switching.

Instead, we want to help you decide whether changing network offers a real benefit.

Switching Mobile Network Step by Step

Step 1 — Check Your Current Contract

First, find out whether you are still tied in.

Then, check any exit cost.

Step 2 — Decide Whether You Need a New Phone

If your current handset works well, consider SIM only.

Step 3 — Check Coverage

Next, check the new network at home, work and other important places.

Step 4 — Compare the Deal

Look at data, contract length, roaming and total cost.

Step 5 — Get a PAC

If you want to keep your number, text:

PAC to 65075

Step 6 — Give the PAC to Your New Provider

Then, let the new provider arrange the number transfer.

Step 7 — Activate the New SIM

Use the new SIM or eSIM as instructed.

Step 8 — Check Everything Works

Test:

  • Calls
  • Texts
  • Mobile data
  • Voicemail
  • Your transferred number

Step 9 — Check Your Final Bill

Finally, make sure your old provider has closed the account correctly.

Before You Switch

Use this quick checklist:

  • Am I still in contract?
  • Is there an exit fee?
  • Do I still owe money for my handset?
  • Do I actually need a new phone?
  • How much data do I use?
  • Does the new network have good coverage?
  • Does it support Wi-Fi Calling?
  • Is roaming included?
  • Will the price rise?
  • What is the total contract cost?
  • Are there upfront charges?
  • Do I want to keep my number?
  • Have I requested a PAC?
  • Is my phone unlocked?
  • Does my phone support eSIM?
  • Are there any extras I do not need?

Work through these one at a time.

Then switch when the new deal genuinely suits you better.

Quick Summary

Switching mobile network can be simple.

First, check your existing contract.

Next, decide whether you need a new phone.

Then, check the new network’s coverage.

After that, compare data, roaming, contract length and total cost.

If you want to keep your number, get a PAC code.

Then, give the PAC to your new provider and let it arrange the transfer.

Finally, check that calls, texts and data work properly after the switch.

Most importantly:

Don’t change network just because the headline price looks cheaper.

Instead, choose the deal that gives you the best mix of coverage, cost, data and flexibility.

Energility

Understand More. Spend Less. Live Better.