09-01-2026 04:06 PM
Added a new sim-only (eSIM) contract to my existing EE account last week, including PUC (from Three) to port my number. Was told porting should be complete within 48 hours but still nothing after 5+ days. eSim installed flawlessly.
I deactivated the existing Three SIM, meanwhile. Does that SIM need to be active/used for porting to complete effectively?
Solved! See the answer below or view the solution in context.
09-01-2026 04:38 PM
A few bits here. Firstly a PUK = Personal Unlock Key, used to unlock a SIM where the PIN has been entered incorrectly too many times. PAC = Porting Authority Code to port a mobile number between networks.
Anyone who advised "48 hours" or "24 hours" was misleading you. The correct timescale is one working day from the PAC being submitted, assuming that was during working hours.
Your new EE SIM will have a temporary number assigned when you first receive it. If a PAC was supplied as part of the order, that will be submitted when you first activate the new SIM onto EE's network.
A port-in date will be set then, usually the following working day. This assumes activation during normal working hours - if during the evening, add an extra working day to these timescales.
When exactly did you first activate your new EE SIM?
09-01-2026 04:38 PM
A few bits here. Firstly a PUK = Personal Unlock Key, used to unlock a SIM where the PIN has been entered incorrectly too many times. PAC = Porting Authority Code to port a mobile number between networks.
Anyone who advised "48 hours" or "24 hours" was misleading you. The correct timescale is one working day from the PAC being submitted, assuming that was during working hours.
Your new EE SIM will have a temporary number assigned when you first receive it. If a PAC was supplied as part of the order, that will be submitted when you first activate the new SIM onto EE's network.
A port-in date will be set then, usually the following working day. This assumes activation during normal working hours - if during the evening, add an extra working day to these timescales.
When exactly did you first activate your new EE SIM?