Why is porting so dam difficult??

Archer

Archer

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So I want to port from CellC to Telkom, go to a store, spend lots of time there and get told everything will just happen. But then they had system issues so could only collect the sim the next day. When that happened now I needed to get a SMS and they put that pin number in, great (or so I think)

But... I need to convert my CellC contract from postpaid (I'm on a month to month plan) to prepaid... ok, go to a CellC store and they say I must cancel (which means some stupid amount of notice I need to give them), but it's after 17h00 so I must call the next day. Call them and they reckon all I need to to is provide my account number to Telkom and all will be good. I must not convert to prepaid

Phone Telkom, and again get told need to go prepaid.

So now what!? Going round in circles with call centres is not my idea of fun.
 
Once you are on prepaid the most frustrating thing is the wait for your SIM to die so that you can fire up the new.
 
supersunbird said:
You mean the governments Prepaid Levy? :p

Just kidding, did someone tell you there is an additional cost?
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Heck if I know, the guy at the Telkom store told me I wouldnt have to do anything extra (and I asked several times) so anything else is news to me

edit: just don't tell me I need to now go to a store again, and do that RICA carp too
 
Last edited:
Weird... I ported way back when it was first introduced. Moved from MTN to Vodacom. Took me less than a week and did everything online or via email.
 
supersunbird said:
First you will need to go prepaid on Cell C.

Once on prepaid, then you can initiate port process.

Thats how I udnerstand it.
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Yup - this

You first have to convert your CellC to prepaid.
Then you go into the TM and ask them to initiate the port
You receive an SMS on your CellC number that you have to confirm - ref number I think
Then they do the port
then you wait
 
/grumble grumble

This is not what I was told in the Telkom store. Ugh
And I've already gotten the SMS with the ref number, which Telkom has already captured.
 
Archer said:
/grumble grumble

This is not what I was told in the Telkom store. Ugh
And I've already gotten the SMS with the ref number, which Telkom has already captured.
Click to expand...

Chap I dealt with was very helpful.

He told me that although it's not absolutely required, he has found that if you convert to pre-paid the process is smoother - might be mumbo-jumbo / tinfoil on his part but....
 
You will have to go to CellC and change to prepaid. Also, you won't be able to go directly after that to TM to port (at least not the same day). You'll have to wait a few days before the porting can be initiated.
There's no way to port while in a contract (contract = stuck with SP for duration of terms)
 
beans100 said:
You will have to go to CellC and change to prepaid. Also, you won't be able to go directly after that to TM to port (at least not the same day). You'll have to wait a few days before the porting can be initiated.
There's no way to port while in a contract (contract = stuck with SP for duration of terms)
Click to expand...

This is not correct. You can port to another network while the number is still on a contract. I have done this many times for clients while they are still on contract with their SP. When we do this, we make use of their ID number and SP account number. This gets submitted to the donor network/SP and if it matches, they approve the port and we can proceed with the activation. The number will then be pulled over that evening. The client still needs to give notice to their ex SP to stop billing on their side. We also allow our clients to port out while the number is still on contract. If you do this, then we will release your number and assign a new number to that contract. You may then choose to either continue to use that new number or have us convert it to prepaid or delete it completely.
 
Ockie said:
This is not correct. You can port to another network while the number is still on a contract. I have done this many times for clients while they are still on contract with their SP. When we do this, we make use of their ID number and SP account number. This gets submitted to the donor network/SP and if it matches, they approve the port and we can proceed with the activation. The number will then be pulled over that evening. The client still needs to give notice to their ex SP to stop billing on their side. We also allow our clients to port out while the number is still on contract. If you do this, then we will release your number and assign a new number to that contract. You may then choose to either continue to use that new number or have us convert it to prepaid or delete it completely.
Click to expand...

stock-vector-cartoon-man-all-beaten-up-and-waving-a-white-flag-155900441.jpg

OK, but will penalty fees apply at his SP for leaving contract early?
 
beans100 said:
OK, but will penalty fees apply at his SP for leaving contract early?
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In my case I'm already on a month to month contract, so there can't be any penalties (I bought my phone cash in the US)

Now to friggin find someone in Telkom who understands wtf they need to do, argh
 
My nearest Telkom store is a 90km round trip so I phoned the 081-180 call centre and asked to port my prepaid number. I was told it can only be done in person, at a store.
After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I spoke to a supervisor. She asked if I had other Telkom services and I gleefully told her that I have had a landline for 45 years, I had adsl plus a TM data sim. She requested my ID number and confirmed my credentials. She asked me to hold on.
I waited full of anticipation and after a long time she came back and told me I had to go to a store. Exit screeming.
Now when I ported to Mtn I did so by SMS and no hassels.
It is such a pity as I still feel loyal after being part of the team for many years. Maybe they feel they have enough customers.
 
Archer said:
So I want to port from CellC to Telkom, go to a store, spend lots of time there and get told everything will just happen. But then they had system issues so could only collect the sim the next day. When that happened now I needed to get a SMS and they put that pin number in, great (or so I think)

But... I need to convert my CellC contract from postpaid (I'm on a month to month plan) to prepaid... ok, go to a CellC store and they say I must cancel (which means some stupid amount of notice I need to give them), but it's after 17h00 so I must call the next day. Call them and they reckon all I need to to is provide my account number to Telkom and all will be good. I must not convert to prepaid

Phone Telkom, and again get told need to go prepaid.

So now what!? Going round in circles with call centres is not my idea of fun.
Click to expand...

Hi Archer,

Thank you for your post.

We sincerely apologize for all the inconvenience you have gone through.

The consultant at the store is correct. You do not have to change your number to prepaid before you can port to us.

All you need to do is to go to any of our stores ( http://www.telkom.co.za/coverage/#stores )with your ID book & 3 months old proof of address. The store will capture your details into the system for RICA purposes. Then they will do a porting for you. IF all the details we captured about your number are correct & match with the ones in Cell C. The hand over will happen at night between 19:00 & 22:00. Then your number will be ported over to us in 24 hrs.

Kind regards
William Letwaba
Social Media Team
 
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