Help - I can't port out from FNB Connect

[seedat77]

I am with FNB Connect since last year September and have major problems sometimes. Most of the time only calls work and data does not work at all, even though I pick up a good signal. At other times data works but calls and sms do not (but this is rare). They use the Cell C network, but it seems as though they sometimes have technical issues on their side (and Cell C subscribers remain unaffected).

I noticed an improvement with the network over the last 2 months, but it's still not good enough. I was with MTN before and I can safely say that FNB Connect is far worse. Actually, to me they are thugs and scum, as I just can't port out from FNB Connect. I've tried to port out to Vodacom, MTN, Telkom Mobile and Cell C and the ports just don't go through. I've spent hours on the line with FNB Connect and with the other service providers, but to no avail. The guys at both the Vodacom and MTN store told me that they have a lot of problems with customers wanting to port out from FNB Connect. In fact they both said that they haven't successfully ported a single FNB Connect number. It then becomes a blame game, with FNB saying that they either did not receive the port request, or that the port was approved but the other SP did not accept the port approval.

I was at one of the FNB branches recently, and there was a very pissed off client who has the same problem with porting. Eventually he told the consultant to cancel his sim and all his FNB accounts as he is frustrated and there seems to be no way out. I would have done the same, but I can't afford to lose my number that I've used for the past 14 years.

I am frustrated and tired, and just don't have the time for this anymore. Has anyone else had similar problems?

One word of advice to anyone who's thinking of moving to FNB Connect: DON"T

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Was issues with Fnb connect data yesterday, got a sms just now.

Getting free 50mb, and free WhatsApp even if you on 0 data remaining

Don't know, I've been pretty happy with them on my dual sim phone, kept my mtn number and use fnb for the freebies and WhatsApp when I don't got mtn data.

As for porting, try port to cell c from Fnb and see if that happens then port back to Mtn and get a dual sim phone

 

[seedat77]

Was issues with Fnb connect data yesterday, got a sms just now.

Getting free 50mb, and free WhatsApp even if you on 0 data remaining

Don't know, I've been pretty happy with them on my dual sim phone, kept my mtn number and use fnb for the freebies and WhatsApp when I don't got mtn data.

As for porting, try port to cell c from Fnb and see if that happens then port back to Mtn and get a dual sim phone

My issues were mainly with data, so I also got myself a dual sim phone and I use Afrihost for data now. But I want to move back to MTN, and after I couldn't port to MTN, I tried Telkom and Vodacom. This also did not work, and as a last resort, my plan was exactly as you also suggested; I tried porting to Cell C in the hope of porting to MTN after 90 days. It's already over a week now, and the port request was sent twice, but still nothing.

I posted a complaint on Hellopeter, let's see what happens next.

 

[ahoudet]

Post complaints all over social media too. Seems to work most times

 

[seedat77]

Post complaints all over social media too. Seems to work most times

I posted on the FNB Facebook page a few months back, and got a response from "someone in charge". The guy was very friendly and helpful, but unfortunately the ports still did not go through. The interesting thing is that just after I posted on Hellopeter, I received a sms that my request to port to Vodacom has been approved. I tried porting to Vodacom 4 months ago, and when it didn't work out I threw away the sim. If the port goes through, what do I do?

 

[ahoudet]

I posted on the FNB Facebook page a few months back, and got a response from "someone in charge". The guy was very friendly and helpful, but unfortunately the ports still did not go through. The interesting thing is that just after I posted on Hellopeter, I received a sms that my request to port to Vodacom has been approved. I tried porting to Vodacom 4 months ago, and when it didn't work out I threw away the sim. If the port goes through, what do I do?

Go get a new sim from Vodacom saying you lost the sim

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Vodacom had big problems with porting a few months back. Both in and out. It took me 4 months to port out.

I did the hellopeter thing and you just get the same scripted answer. I laid a complaint with ICASA and the "problem" resolved itself in a week. Very easy procedure, fill in a Word doc and email it to ICASA.

 

[seedat77]

Vodacom had big problems with porting a few months back. Both in and out. It took me 4 months to port out.

I did the hellopeter thing and you just get the same scripted answer. I laid a complaint with ICASA and the "problem" resolved itself in a week. Very easy procedure, fill in a Word doc and email it to ICASA.

Let's see what happens as I received 2 calls from FNB confirming that the port will be done tonight. But I'll have to get a new sim and do a sim swop.

 

[cavedog]

When I wanted to port my Me&You mobile number to another network I had to follow a strange process and I assume it would be the same for all Cellc MVNO.

They cancel your package and push you back to Cellc prepaid system which you have to rica again on cellc and do a free sim swap to get access to your number. Once you are on prepaid you can simply sms to port out.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

But I'll have to get a new sim and do a sim swop.

Umm, you should already have a new SIM otherwise how did you request a port? SIM swap has nothing to do with porting.

Porting = moving number from one network to another. You have to give the new network your current number and an UNUSED RICA'ed SIM card for their network.

Normally the current network say that it must be moved to prepaid first before they will allow the number to be ported out. This is actually not true. The only reason they do this is that the law states the a port cannot be denied if your account is in arrears AND your number has not been suspended. They will only change you to prepaid if your account is paid up.

The donor side shall not refuse a port because a post paid subscriber still owes money, nor may they delay the porting until such debt is collected, unless the subscriber is already subject to suspension of outgoing or incoming calls because of failure to pay a bill.
Source: http://www.number-portability.co.za/porting-faqs.php

SIM Swap = moving number from one SIM card to UNUSED RICA'ed SIM card on the same network. Beware! If you are on prepaid you simply buy a 49c SIM card, RICA it and you can do the swap "over the phone". If you are a contract customer you can only do a SIM swop at a store and the new SIM costs R80 (or more). I don't know why it costs R80 for the EXACTLY the same piece of plastic. Guess you have to pay the clerks wages.

 

[seedat77]

Umm, you should already have a new SIM otherwise how did you request a port? SIM swap has nothing to do with porting.

Porting = moving number from one network to another. You have to give the new network your current number and an UNUSED RICA'ed SIM card for their network.

Normally the current network say that it must be moved to prepaid first before they will allow the number to be ported out. This is actually not true. The only reason they do this is that the law states the a port cannot be denied if your account is in arrears AND your number has not been suspended. They will only change you to prepaid if your account is paid up.


SIM Swap = moving number from one SIM card to UNUSED RICA'ed SIM card on the same network. Beware! If you are on prepaid you simply buy a 49c SIM card, RICA it and you can do the swap "over the phone". If you are a contract customer you can only do a SIM swop at a store and the new SIM costs R80 (or more). I don't know why it costs R80 for the EXACTLY the same piece of plastic. Guess you have to pay the clerks wages.

I am fully aware of the difference between a sim swop and porting. If you read one of my previous posts I mentioned "I tried porting to Vodacom 4 months ago, and when it didn't work out I threw away the sim." That's the reason why I don't have a sim (I had one when the port request was done). So I had a sim and didn't see any point in keeping it as the port did not go through. I also received a sms from Vodacom a few weeks after the port request stating that my request to port has been cancelled. Apparently FNB did not "approve" the port request even though I'm on prepaid. Now all of a sudden the port request to Vodacom is approved, at least that's what FNB says. I also received a sms yesterday from Vodacom that my port was approved. I was supposed to be off the FNB network by now, but unfortunately I'm not. This happened previously and it seems like I'm going through the same motion again. I'll be contacting both FNB and Vodacom today and try to get to the bottom of this.

 

[seedat77]

I finally got my number ported to Vodacom prepaid. It took a few more phone calls and a bit of trouble but at least it's done now.

 

[Marc.Y]

I have had much the same problem with them and cannot port out. Right now, my data does not work, I do not receive SMSes and cannot make calls. I have balances for each. It is pathetic. And I have been fighting to port out for 2 weeks. I will never use FNB Connect again and I am telling all my mates to avoid it.

 

[CrystalMint3]

Just got fnb connect last week. Cancelling and getting a new number (back to MTN). Don't have time or energy for this. Attractive benefits but bad experience with the product.

 

[seedat77]

I have had much the same problem with them and cannot port out. Right now, my data does not work, I do not receive SMSes and cannot make calls. I have balances for each. It is pathetic. And I have been fighting to port out for 2 weeks. I will never use FNB Connect again and I am telling all my mates to avoid it.

Try putting a (nasty) complaint on Hellopeter, they only woke up and sorted my port out when I did just that.

 

[dunkyd]

..and Mr Jacobs tells me he cannot find posts on their website !!!

 

[bladder777]

Fnb porting out

I am with FNB Connect since last year September and have major problems sometimes. Most of the time only calls work and data does not work at all, even though I pick up a good signal. At other times data works but calls and sms do not (but this is rare). They use the Cell C network, but it seems as though they sometimes have technical issues on their side (and Cell C subscribers remain unaffected).

I noticed an improvement with the network over the last 2 months, but it's still not good enough. I was with MTN before and I can safely say that FNB Connect is far worse. Actually, to me they are thugs and scum, as I just can't port out from FNB Connect. I've tried to port out to Vodacom, MTN, Telkom Mobile and Cell C and the ports just don't go through. I've spent hours on the line with FNB Connect and with the other service providers, but to no avail. The guys at both the Vodacom and MTN store told me that they have a lot of problems with customers wanting to port out from FNB Connect. In fact they both said that they haven't successfully ported a single FNB Connect number. It then becomes a blame game, with FNB saying that they either did not receive the port request, or that the port was approved but the other SP did not accept the port approval.

I was at one of the FNB branches recently, and there was a very pissed off client who has the same problem with porting. Eventually he told the consultant to cancel his sim and all his FNB accounts as he is frustrated and there seems to be no way out. I would have done the same, but I can't afford to lose my number that I've used for the past 14 years.

I am frustrated and tired, and just don't have the time for this anymore. Has anyone else had similar problems?

One word of advice to anyone who's thinking of moving to FNB Connect: DON"T

Please tell me if you made headway? I have a previous eWallet with the fnb sim, then ported my original number, now they can't give me access to the connect eWallet or even the number back. Highly frustrated!!

 

[seedat77]

After putting a complaint on Hellopeter I got a few phone calls from FNB Connect and eventually ported out. Try Hellopeter and you should get a response from FNB.