In short
To port multiple business mobile numbers, ask your current provider for a PAC for each line by phone, on its website or through your account manager: Ofcom says the text route is not for accounts with more than one number. Give the PACs to your new network with your chosen switch date, and activate the new SIMs beforehand.
Get a quote for a multi-line switch
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
How porting multiple numbers works
Each mobile number moves with its own PAC, but you do not have to request them one by one. How you ask depends on how many numbers are on the account:
| Numbers on the account | How to request the codes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One | Text PAC to 65075, or ask by phone or on the provider's website | Ofcom |
| More than one | By phone or on the provider's website; the text route is not available | Ofcom |
| 2 to 24 (O2 Business) | My Account in My O2 Business, or your account manager | O2 Business |
| More than 24 (O2 Business) | The "switch more than 24 numbers" option in My O2 Business, or your account manager | O2 Business |
Whichever route you use, Ofcom says each PAC is valid for 30 days, the provider must send early termination information with the codes, and the new provider must complete each switch within one working day. Ofcom also says your old provider must not charge for any notice period after the switching date.
So plan to request your codes through your provider's website or online account, by phone or through your account manager, rather than by text.
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
Requesting codes from your current network
The network you are leaving issues the PACs. EE Business, Three Business, O2 Business and Vodafone Business each publish their own routes for business accounts:
EE Business
EE Business publishes the text routes (PAC to 65075 and STAC to 75075) and the INFO to 85075 service for checking your contract position before you switch. Where an account holds several numbers, Ofcom's rule applies: ask by phone or online rather than by text.
Three Business
Three Business notes that if you have multiple numbers with your previous provider, you may need to contact that provider directly to get your PACs.
O2 Business
For 2 to 24 numbers, O2 Business says to use the My Account section of My O2 Business or contact your O2 Business account manager. It says codes requested in My O2 Business arrive there within two days, with a text within two working days. For more than 24 numbers, use the "switch more than 24 numbers" option in My O2 Business or your account manager.
Vodafone Business
Vodafone Business's switching help focuses on joining. If you are leaving Vodafone Business with several numbers, ask your account manager or use your online account, in line with Ofcom's rule for multi-number accounts.
Ask for the codes early enough to leave time for checks, but not so early that the 30 days run out before your chosen switch date.
Giving the codes to your new network
Once you have the PACs, the new network arranges the move. How it collects them depends on the network and the size of the move:
- EE Business asks for each PAC with the new SIM and the temporary number on it, and explains that putting the new SIM into a phone triggers the port, so hand over the codes first.
- Three Business lets you bring numbers with a PAC or take new Three Business numbers, on a switch date you choose up to 30 days ahead; through us, we can coordinate the PACs and the date with you.
- O2 Business says that once it has your PAC when you join, you switch within one working day.
- Vodafone Business routes businesses with 10 or more employees through an account manager or its Corporate Online portal (VCO).
When you move through us, we can collect the codes and SIM details from you and pass them on in the format the new network needs, so you deal with one list rather than four processes. Each network's plans and terms are on our business SIM only networks pages.
Is a multi-line switch the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Choosing a switch date
For a team, the switch date matters more than for one person. Some practical points:
- Pick a quiet working day. Switches complete on working days, and Three Business says the quickest is one working day, or two if the request is made after 5pm, at a weekend or on a bank holiday.
- Avoid days when people travel. O2 Business and Three Business both say you need to be in the UK for the switch to complete.
- Leave room to change it. Three Business says a transfer can be changed or cancelled until 5pm on the working day before, describing that as an industry-wide cut-off.
- Stay inside the 30 days. Every PAC must be used before it expires; requesting codes too early can mean requesting them again.
- Expect a short gap. EE Business says it is normal to lose service for up to a few hours during a transfer, so warn key customers or set up a temporary divert.
Single-day move or staggered move?
| Question | Single-day move | Staggered move |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Every number switches on the same date | Numbers switch in groups over several dates |
| Suits | Small and medium teams with similar contracts | Large teams, several sites, or lines with different contract end dates |
| Admin | One date to communicate | Several dates and lists to track |
| Risk | Any problem affects everyone at once | Problems affect one group and can be fixed before the next |
| Contract costs | Some lines may leave before their term ends | Lines can move as their minimum terms end |
There is no single right answer. A staggered move can reduce early termination charges when lines were added at different times, because each group can switch as its term finishes. A single-day move is simpler to explain to staff. We can help you weigh the two using the early termination information your provider sends with the PACs.
Checklist for moving a team
- List every line: number, user, current network, contract end date and whether it is a phone SIM or a data SIM.
- Decide PAC or STAC for each line. Keep numbers people ring; use a STAC code for lines you no longer need.
- Check the handsets: unlocked for the new network, and eSIM-capable if you are moving to eSIM SIM only plans.
- Choose plans and network for each user, including fleet SIM cards controls such as spend caps.
- Request the PACs through your current provider's business route.
- Agree the switch date or dates and give the PACs to the new network.
- Hand out and activate the new SIMs before switch day, labelled with each user's number.
- Brief staff: what will happen, when to swap SIMs, and that iPhone users may need to update their number in settings afterwards (Three Business notes this).
- Check every line after the switch and update records, including two-factor authentication numbers.
How we can help
Coordinating a multi-number move is where we add the most value. We supply business SIM only plans on EE Business and Three Business, and we can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business. We can help you with:
- The line audit: building the list of numbers, users and contract end dates
- Plan design: individual, shared or pooled data, and the right business SIM only contracts term for your team
- Codes and dates: requesting PACs and STACs and coordinating a single or staggered switch
- SIM preparation: helping you get physical SIMs or eSIMs activated before switch day
- Staff briefing: what to expect on switch day and what to update afterwards
Timings depend on the networks involved and are confirmed at quote. Contact us with the number of lines and your current network, and we will suggest how to plan the move. If you are moving office landline or VoIP numbers too, see number porting on our cloud phone site.
How Forever Communications helps with business SIM only
We help UK organisations choose, switch and run business SIM only plans, data SIMs and eSIMs for the phones and devices they already own.
- Start with what you have: we look at your current contracts, end dates, users, devices and how much data people really use before suggesting anything new
- More than one network: we supply SIM only plans on EE Business and Three Business, and we can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so you can choose by coverage where your people work
- Keep your numbers: we help you plan the move with PAC codes or STAC codes so existing business mobile numbers come with you
- SIMs for every device: voice SIMs, eSIM SIM only that works with your device management, business data only SIMs for tablets, routers and vehicles, and fleet SIM cards on one account
- Controls that suit a business: we can help you set up spend caps, bars and user changes through the network's own business tools
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group. Plans, terms and pricing are confirmed at quote, so contact us and we will set out the options that fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I port multiple mobile numbers at once?
Yes. Ask your current provider for the PACs by phone, on its website or through your account manager; O2 Business, for example, handles 2 to 24 numbers in My O2 Business and has a separate option for more than 24. Each number has its own PAC, but they can all move on the same date.
Can I text PAC to 65075 for several numbers?
No. Ofcom says you need to call your provider or use its website if you have more than one number on your account, and O2 Business says text requests are not available on those accounts. Use your provider's online account, ask by phone, or go through your account manager.
How long does it take to port a team's numbers?
Ofcom says the new provider must complete each switch within one working day of having the PAC. For a team, the planning usually takes longer than the switch: listing lines, checking contracts and getting SIMs ready.
Can I choose when the numbers move?
Usually, yes. Three Business lets you choose a switch date up to 30 days ahead, within the 30 days the PACs are valid. Larger moves are often agreed with the new network's business team.
Should we move every number on one day?
Not necessarily. A single-day move is simpler to explain, while a staggered move lets lines switch as their contracts end and limits the impact of any problem. The early termination information sent with the PACs helps you decide.
Still have a question about a multi-line switch?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.
