PAYG not working abroad (in Canada)

[Linazzzzz]

I recently moved to Canada (will be here for 2 years). I had a monthly rolling contract in the UK and I swapped it for a PAYG sim and transferred my number over so I could keep it (I transferred my number over once I arrived in Canada). So I haven’t used the new EE PAYG sim in the UK at all. 
The sim doesn’t work (can’t receive or send calls/texts). After reading different posts, I have realised this must be due to me not activating/ using the sim in the UK. Really annoyed about this as I specifically went into the EE store to buy the PAYG sim and no one mentioned that I had to activate it in the UK.

What are my options now? I really don’t want to lose my UK number but it seems that after 6 months of inactivity the sim will be deactivated? 
Is there a way to activate the SIM from abroad? Can I even get a PAC code before my sim is deactivated? 

Thank you.

[Linazzzzz]

Also - when I first transferred the number. It seemed to have worked for a little bit (I received texts), whereas now, nothing works. 

[Chris_B]

@Linazzzzz   You didn’t need a new sim to change over to PAYG the contract sim would have been fine.      Unfortunately you need to be in the UK for this to work correctly.      A PAC code is only good for 30 days you then need a new PAC code.  

You probably wasn’t told about activation in the UK because they would need to know what your intentions where on activating.   

[Linazzzzz]

Thanks for your reply. 
I didn’t properly explain, sorry - my rolling contract was with SMARTY, I only swapped to EE as SMARTY don’t have PAYG, and there was an EE store in my town (I specifically wanted to speak to someone in person). I explained the situation to the EE employee who sold me the SIM, and they didn’t mention the need to use it in the UK. 

The 30 days is no problem. I’ll have to get a family member in the UK to buy another PAYG sim and then activate it with my EE PAC code (as I really need to keep my UK number). However, do you know how I can request a PAC code as I can’t receive/ send any texts etc 

[bristolian]

If you're not able to use the text interface to request a PAC, you'll need to contact Smarty directly.

https://help.smarty.co.uk/en/articles/952726-how-do-i-leave-smarty 

[Linazzzzz]

Thanks for the reply. I’m not with SMARTY anymore. I’m with EE on a PAYG SIM that doesn’t work abroad.

[XRaySpeX]

You can't use a PAC to port within the same network. They are for porting between diff networks. Also if you do try to move your no. from the new bought SIM to the existing non-working SIM it won't work as it needs to be in UK to receive the no.

[Linazzzzz]

Thanks for your reply. I had already managed to transfer my number from SMARTY to EE. I did this in Canada and the number transferred, and I received my texts etc when the number transferred to my EE sim. However, now I can’t receive texts or calls, and internet doesn’t work even when I turn roaming on (I have credit on my EE sim). I think it doesn’t work because I never used the EE sim in the UK. I activated the sim and transferred the number when I was already in Canada. 

I want to get a PAC from EE now because I can’t lose my UK number and I will lose it if my EE sim is inactive for 6 months. Based on what I have read/ replies on here, I won’t be able to use my EE sim in Canada. So, I want the PAC code, so a family member in the UK can buy me a new PAYG sim, and I will give them the PAC so they can activate it in the UK, and use it ever few months so I can keep the number.

My issue is, I don’t know how the get the EE PAC while I am in Canada, as my EE sim doesn’t work at all and I can’t text them to request the PAC code. 

[XRaySpeX]

I've already told you that you can't use PACs within the same network.

[Linazzzzz]

I didn’t say I will be getting another sim within the same network. I obviously won’t be getting another PAYG sim with EE…