Our mobile phone numbers in turn have become almost a form of identification, something with which we are instantly recognised - 11 digits, which bear our names.
So protective are we of our mobile phone numbers that a survey conducted in September last year revealed that more than 12million of us would switch our mobile phone networks more frequently if it was easier to keep our numbers.
Well now it is.
As of April 1, new Ofcom regulations came into effect making the number porting process - that's moving your number from one network to another - much simpler than before. Instead of the previous five-day wait, networks must now port numbers within two days. By September 2009, the maximum porting delay will drop to just two hours.
Leading mobile phone deals on the market
With so many mobile deals available, finding the most suitable package for your needs may appear a difficult task, and millions of us are on the wrong tariff.
Independent research carried out for moneysupermarket.com, found that British mobile phone users are collectively wasting £8.45billion a year because they exceed the minutes or texts included in their monthly tariff - this adds an average of £130 to our annual mobile costs.
If you're not sure about how you use your mobile phone, check through some previous billing statements to see if you have exceeded your monthly text and call allowances in the past. Once you have a rough idea of how many texts or calls you need a month, enter your details into a comparison tool and search for the best deals.
To make things even simpler for you, we have identified a few of the best deals available at the moment for different types of users:
Light users: Pay-as-you go deals are attractive for those who rarely use their mobile as they allow you to top-up the phone as and when you need. However, there is an initial outlay as you have to buy a handset. In many cases a cheap contract can be a better option because it will probably include a free handset.
We have highlighted the following two deals because they offer great value to light users:
Medium user: You do not have to pay much more, to get a more generous monthly deal. 3's Mix & Match 500 costs £18 a month and includes 500 texts or minutes, or a combination of the two.
Alternatively, the Orange Canary 30 tariff offers 350 minutes of call time and 250 texts for £25 a month.
Heavy texter: If texting rather than talking is your thing, Orange Dolphin 15, which costs £15 a month allows you to send unlimited texts as well as offering 100 minutes of calls each month.
For those who require more inclusive minutes, 3's Texter Offer gives 500 minutes of call time as well as unlimited texts for a monthly fee of £25.
Heavy talker: If you use your mobile for business calls as well as social, the 3 Mix & Match 1100 tariff could be a good option. It costs £20 a month and offers 1100 call-time minutes or 1100 texts, or a mix of both.
Alternatively, Vodafone's Best for Talker tariff includes unlimited calls to UK landlines, 750 minutes of calls to other mobiles and 250 texts each month. The monthly cost is £30.
Why porting a number has been a problem in the past
In September 2007, four million customers claimed that the number porting process is too complicated and Ofcom clearly agreed.
UK networks have been criticised for making the process overly complicated and in some cases not even informing customers that porting is possible. In Australia and the United States it takes just two hours to transfer your number to a new provider, while in the Republic of Ireland it can take as little as 20 minutes.
How to port your number to a new mobile phone
The process can be dealt with in two days and should cause very little hassle. Here's a step-by-step guide to how number porting can work for you:
- First find a new contract that suits your usage levels and budget by using a comparison tool and apply for that deal.
- Advise your existing provider that you intend to port your number and ask them for your Port Authorisation Code (PAC). This is effectively a reference number, which you pass on to your new network.
- It may be possible to ask your new network to retrieve the PAC for you - ask them after you've applied for the deal. There should be no charge for this service.
- Bear in mind that if you are switching mid-contract there will usually be a charge or fee. Check out the terms and conditions of your existing contract to see how sizeable this is - you may find it's worth paying as you could save money over the remaining period of your contract by moving to a cheaper deal.
Disclaimer: Please note that any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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