How best to keep UK phone number?

[AD3271]

I'm moving to Canada mid January 2025 and would like to keep my UK phone number whilst I'm there (I plan on getting a Canadian phone number and contract upon my arrival) . I'm currently on a pay monthly contract and wish to move to a PAYG contract. However, I'm aware that it takes 30 days for this transfer to occur and I am less than 30 days away from leaving the UK. I'm also aware that I need to be in the UK to activate my PAYG sim. I am due to return to the UK for a week in May 2025 and so, I was wondering if I could activate my PAYG then after 4 months? If I cancel my contract now and don't take out the PAYG until May will I lose my phone number? What would be the best solution in my situation? Any help would be great thanks.

[bristolian]

All PAYG lines are subject to the hibernation policy which require chargeable usage at least once every 179 days, with a further 3months grace before outright disconnection - see https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Pay-as-you-go/What-is-pay-as-you-go-and-flex-hibernation-and-how-do-I-... 

On cancellation of your pay-monthly contract, you can either choose outright disconnection or a migration to PAYG. If you choose outright disconnection, the number will be released back to EE immediately and will no longer be yours.

[AD3271]

If I cancel my pay-monthly contract, how long do I have to migrate to a PAYG contract? I was wondering if I could be contract-less for a few months or do I have to make the decision upon cancellation?

[bristolian]

You need to request the conversion to PAYG at the point of your 30days notice being given, or certainly before it expires. If you don't do so, then your line will be disconnected at the 30day point and your number relinquished.

You will need to request the migration to PAYG, and ensure chargeable usage is incurred before hibernation kicks in at 179 days. If you miss that, you will have approx 3months grace before the PAYG is disconnected at 273 days.

[AD3271]

Okay great. I'll get someone at home to activate my PAYG sim when it arrives and then wait until I'm back in May to take it back with me and use adhoc. Thank you for your response!

[Matt_124]

The PAYG conversion will be done on your existing SIM, you don't get another SIM sent out or anything, so you would be better to leave that with someone in the UK and then collect it when you're back in May.

[XRaySpeX]

@AD3271 : You'll be OK as long as you activate it by making chargeable calls in UK by 4 months after your SIM has been moved to PAYG at the end of the 30-days notice to terminate your contract & at the same time requesting it be moved to PAYG. You can't have a gap between terminating the contract & moving it to PAYG as you'll have lost your no. by then.

Thereafter it'll be subject to the PAYG hibernation policy, needing you to make a chargeable activity within every 179 days.

[XRaySpeX]

You could, however, request a replacement SIM to be sent to your home addy.