Impossible to get PAC code

[Oldpilot]

Hi

Just had a frustrating conversation with a call centre in South Wales.

I want to port my number of 20 years across to Vodaphone and need a PAC code.

I more or less stopped using EE a couple of years ago as their coverage in the rural UK is abysmal. I have topped up occasionally and although regularly receiving calls have not bothered over several months 

I am a pay as you go customer and Vodaphone give me excellent service with their big value bundles and coverage.

I have just had a thirty minute conversation with a call handler that was like something out of a comedy wind up sketch. I resorted to the phone call because the website will not allow me to get a PAC number online.

The bottom line is I was told to text 65075 PAC.

I was told that despite being registered online and them having my email address I could not get the code by email.

However the sim shows no service and has been like this for a week.

How do I resolve this?

[bristolian]

At least you can now safely assume that hibernation is not the reason for no service. You'd therefore have to proceed on the basis that network signal could be, and all I can suggest is that you send the PAC message when you do have coverage.

[Oldpilot]

My EE sim has shown no service for nearly a week . The EE signal comes from a tower a mile away which also hosts Vodaphone which is fine.

Trying to contact EE is a nightmare which involves a 20 minute hold before connecting to a contact centre.

[ewanrw]

Waiting 20 minutes on hold is hardly unreasonable with all that’s going on in the world.

You could try driving to your nearest store and queueing up outside. 

[Oldpilot]

I live in mid Norfolk where we have had no queuing during this pandemic.

I finally managed to get my PAC code this morning via online chat.

At last I am free from EE and can enjoy decent coverage from Vodaphone.

[bristolian]

Just by means of general info, in many rural parts of the UK, EE now use 4G800 "extended range" coverage to noticeably improve signal, but this does require the use of a 4G calling device which PAYG doesn't currently support.

Assuming that EE & VodaFone are on the same mast as you describe, and if 4G800 is in use there, the coverage would be pretty much identical.

I'm glad you got everything sorted, and hope things work out well with your new provider.