topic Re: keeping mobile number without services in Pay as you go

keeping mobile number without services

RooBoy — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:09:19 GMT

Hi,

I am on a contract with EE currently but will return home for at least 6 months, probably longer. I dont need services but I would like to retain my number for when I return. The website said I should go in store to seek help, in store said they can't help.

Does any one here have a thought about mobile number preservation ?. I am not talking about payment holiday, happy to end contract.

Thanks

Scott

Re: keeping mobile number without services

XRaySpeX — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:51:00 GMT

Yes, @RooBoy , you should cancel your contract & move it to PAYG. Call CS & give 30-days notice of cancellation & request it then be moved to PAYG.

If it is switched to PAYG while you are abroad you can't now use it until you return to UK. EE PAYG SIMs need 1st activating on EE's home UK network before they can be used abroad.

To save the SIM going into hibernation due to lack of use, just remember within every 179 days (~ 6 months) to make a chargeable action like making a chargeable call or text, topping up or buying a Pack or Add-on, not just using your mins, texts or data from any Pack or Add-on you might have.

Re: keeping mobile number without services

RooBoy — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:38:13 GMT

Hi XRaySpex,

so something like this on my last day

20GB SIM £9

500 minutes and unlimited text

Unused data rolls over into your next plan

Flexible 30 day plan with no contract

Cheers

Re: keeping mobile number without services

XRaySpeX — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:54:47 GMT

No, @RooBoy , that wasn't what I was suggesting at all! That's not keeping your no. That's buying a new PAYG SIM with a new no.

Re: keeping mobile number without services

ee_user14 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:37:23 GMT

@RooBoy wrote:
Hi XRaySpex,
so something like this on my last day

You're over-thinking this.

You simply give 30days cancellation notice on your pay-monthly contract but explicitly request your number is migrated to PAYG. Once your 30days notice has been served, your contract is cancelled and your number becomes a new PAYG once you use it in the UK.

Make a chargeable action at least once every 179 days to avoid hibernation, and your number will remain a PAYG. If you subsequently want to move back to pay-monthly at any point, you can.

Re: keeping mobile number without services

RooBoy — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:40:41 GMT

Thanks for the advice

Sent from my Galaxy

Re: keeping mobile number without services

XRaySpeX — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:41:32 GMT

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & trust it is now sorted.