Agree, the PAC is for moving number, as already mentioned, the phone is locked and subsidised by the provider, so to unlock is a different thing.
Some providers will charge to unlock the phone, some might not, it might also depend how long you have been a customer.
The legislation is about moving your number, so that you can move to a different provider. You would then have to buy a phone that works with that provider, or choose a new contract with the provider where they supply you with a phone. Tbh, the whole point of moving is usually to get a better deal, usually involving cutting costs, getting more for your money (minutes, texts and data) and upgrading to a newer handset, for this reason, the only thing you would take to the new company is your existing number, which is what the PAC is for.
Imagine the extra costs that used to be involved with businesses having to reprint 10000's of employees business cards etc.
Thank you everyone for the information and such an interesting thread.
My daughters blackberry is unlocked, we bought it originally from the carphone warehouse with a vodafone sim, found out that asda was cheaper so moved to that - requested a PAC code from vodafone so she could keep her number. The PAC code didn't unlock the phone, just moved the number.
I only really wanted to know what sort of sim would work in the blackberry, she doesn't want BBM only texts and calls.
I have since found out that a "standard" sim will be OK in it, rather than a "micro" or "nano", which is what I was confused about.
'Does it not follow mcguire that if the phone were locked to its original network (say O2) and you want to move it to another network (say Virginmedia) then the PAC code should allow this.
To get a PAC code you need your mobile number and the IMEI number for your phone ( this is a unique 15 digit number unique to your physical phone device).
You put the new sim card in (this could be a pay as you go with minimum credit - and then enter the PAC code given by your original service provider. The phone should now work on the new network and thus be free of its original restrictions.
Questionable software apps, jiggery pokery from 3rd parties and other myths simply aren't necessary and are merely a money making scam from those selling them.
If you need anything other than the PAC code to migrate your phone from one network to another then perhaps you should contact OFCOM because the user has the choice of network (once they have passed the minimum requirements of the contract with their original supplier)
This isn't even UK law it is EU law.'
David next time you are near any mobile phone shops, pop in and ask whether a PAC code will unlock a phone. They will tell you it won't. Not because of any conspiracy theory, but because its the truth. PAC codes are just for transferring numbers, unlocking a phone is at the discretion of the network.
PAC code
Porting Authorisation Code is used to transfer your mobile number from one Network provider to another (E.g. Virgin to 02). The obvious benefit being you don’t need to let all your friends and family know you have just changed your number (if you have any of course..).
The above action will NOT unlock a phone. If you place the new SIM into your current handset and it’s not unlocked it won’t work (honest).
Unlocking a phone
To unlock a phone you need to contact your current mobile phone provider and see if they will do it for you. Most mobile phone companies will charge you for this and depending on the make, model and the type of contract you have they may decline to do this. Other companies offer to do this (not trying to scam you) but again will depend on the make and model of your phone. You will receive a code which you enter into the phone which will then “unlock it” from the network. This can invalidate any existing warranty so way up the pros and cons before you go ahead and unlock a phone.
Why would you unlock a phone..?
The benefits of unlocking a mobile phone are that you can use any SIM from any mobile company in the phone. This will allow you to search for cheap SIM only deal from people like gifgaf or OVIVO. As an example OVIVO offer a SIM with a one off payment of £15 (that’s it). Each month you get an allowance of 150 minutes, 250 texts and 500mb Data, so if you are a low phone, text and data user you could get a free monthly package with no bills!
Quote: Originally posted by david8858 on 27/9/2013
To get a PAC code you need your mobile number and the IMEI number for your phone ( this is a unique 15 digit number unique to your physical phone device).
You put the new sim card in (this could be a pay as you go with minimum credit - and then enter the PAC code given by your original service provider. The phone should now work on the new network and thus be free of its original restrictions.
You don't enter a PAC code into the phone, you pass the PAC to the new provider so they can move the number to their system and provision it to your sim.
The code you are entering is a phone unlock code, which will most likely be obtained from a website or shop.
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Topic: blackberry sim
