A mobile phone with many applications and access to the Internet has long ceased to be something unusual. In the daily “battle for the client,” mobile operators are inventing new “super-profitable” tariffs and offers. Until recently, our compatriots in most cases could be deterred from switching from one cellular company to another by the upcoming inevitable hassles associated with changing their phone number.
Since January 2013, Russians have the opportunity to save their phone number when changing mobile operator. A decree of the Russian government, enthusiastically called by the press the Law “On the Abolition of Mobile Slavery,” obliges Russian cellular operators to provide customers with the MNP - Mobile Number Portability service, which makes it possible, when changing companies, to apply to retain their current phone number.
How does it work to change an operator while keeping your number? What documents need to be provided for this? Can difficulties arise when changing one mobile operator to another?
General transition rules
Regardless of which company’s SIM card is used to change the operator while maintaining the number, there are general principles for the transition:
- This service is always paid. The cost of the transition will cost the subscriber 100 rubles. You should immediately clarify about additional costs. You need to find out, for example, how much a SIM card and a package of connected services will cost.
- You won't be able to use the MNP service too often. The law “safeguards” cellular operators, allowing you to switch while maintaining your phone number no earlier than two months from the date the new cellular company begins service.
- Only the owner, that is, the person whose name is issued a SIM card with this phone number, can make a transfer to another cellular communication company while maintaining the number. He must submit the application personally by presenting his passport. In exceptional cases, the transfer can be carried out by an authorized person who has an appropriate notarized power of attorney from the owner of the number.
- Transferring to another company without changing your number is limited to one region. This means that changing the operator while maintaining the number in Moscow will be possible only in the capital or region. It is not possible to change your Moscow number in any other region.
- The phone number remains the same, but the operator issues its own SIM card after concluding a service agreement with the subscriber. In most cases, services connected to a mobile phone number will have to be reconnected after moving to another company.
- Blocked phone numbers are not eligible for MNP service.
Is the subscriber obliged to notify the operator about the number change?
It is logical to assume that the MNP Law is primarily on the side of consumers of cellular communication services, that is, subscribers. But are the rights of a cellular operator that loses a subscriber protected by this resolution? For example, if the operator is changed while maintaining the number from MTS to Megafon, is the subscriber obliged to notify MTS about this in advance?
In order to change the operator, the owner of the number must leave a request only with the company where the transition will be made. He is not obliged to notify the company in advance where the subscriber is planning to transfer.
Transfer deadlines
Legislators have established specific deadlines within which a cellular company must change operators while maintaining the number. For any legal entity that has submitted an application for this service, all numbers specified in the application are renewed within 29 days. For an individual, this period is even shorter – only 8 days. During this time, operators must carry out the necessary verification of the subscriber’s personal data.
How does a subscriber use cellular communications until the operator is changed while maintaining the number? During this period, having both SIM cards in hand - new and old, the subscriber continues to use the services of the “donor” until he receives an SMS indicating the time and date of the transition.
Subscribers who have already gone through the transfer procedure while preserving the number often warn that it is very important during the transfer not to allow a “zero” or negative balance on the SIM card of the “donor” operator. Lack of money in your cell phone account may well serve as a reason for the operator company to refuse the transfer.
Switch to Beeline
What does a subscriber need to do in order to become a Beeline subscriber, keeping the existing cell phone number of another operator company? For example, let's look at how to change the operator step by step while maintaining the number from Megafon to Beeline.
A subscriber who wants to change the SIM card served by Megafon to a Beeline SIM card without changing the previous phone number will need to contact any office of the new operator, carrying an identification document. An employee will help the future client fill out an application to change the operator while maintaining the existing number. In addition to personally contacting a communication shop or office, subscribers now have the opportunity to leave a corresponding request online in a special section on the operator company’s website.
The next step is concluding an agreement with Beeline and receiving a SIM card from this company. For a new SIM card, the subscriber will need to choose any tariff from the new operator. If the application was completed online, you can order courier delivery of the SIM card and contract free of charge.
Next, you need to pay 100 rubles for NMP and additionally for a new SIM card, according to the selected tariff. A completed application for the NMP service will be reviewed by the company within 8 days. During this entire period, the subscriber can use the Megafon SIM card without allowing a zero or negative balance. The Beeline SIM card can also be used immediately after it is issued - it will be connected to a temporary number.
The subscriber will be notified via SMS about the current status of the submitted application and all operations. A day before the number is transferred, the subscriber should receive a message with information about the time when it is necessary to transfer the Beeline SIM card to his phone.
Switch to Megafon
For those subscribers who decide to use the services of another major operator, Megafon, there are also two ways to fill out an application: in a communication salon or on the company’s official website. What does it look like, for example, to change an operator while maintaining the number from Tele2 to Megafon?
- To inform Megafon about his decision to change the operator without changing the Tele2 number, the client must either apply with a passport (identity document of the owner of the number) to a communication shop or company office or fill out an application in a special section on the Megafon website . Here, on the company’s official website, it is possible to receive free delivery of a contract and a new SIM card with a company specialist visiting the subscriber’s address to conclude a contract and consult on the proposed tariffs.
- Next, an agreement is concluded, a tariff is selected and a Megafon SIM card is received.
- Payment is made for the NMP service (100 rubles) and the new SIM card package in accordance with the tariff chosen by the subscriber.
- After eight days have passed after receiving an SMS notification about the change of operator, you need to change the Tele2 SIM card to Megafon in your phone.
Switch to MTS
The process of switching to the MTS cellular communication company while maintaining the phone number is almost the same. But it is worth noting that this company does not have a service for filling out an application online. Changing the operator while maintaining the number from Tele2 to MTS includes the following steps:
- The subscriber contacts the MTS salon or office with a passport or other identification document. To change the operator, you will need to fill out the appropriate application.
- Concluding an agreement, choosing a tariff and receiving an MTS SIM card.
- Payment for NMP service and SIM card package in accordance with the tariff.
- After eight days have passed after receiving an SMS notification about a change of operator, you need to change the Tele2 SIM card to MTS in your phone.
Switch to Tele2
Separately, it is worth mentioning the transition, while maintaining the number, to Tele2, an operator that is not one of the Russian top three, but has already gained some fame in our country with its relatively democratic pricing policy.
To switch to the service of this operator with your phone number, the subscriber will have to personally write an application at the Tele2 office (communications salon). Further, the procedure is not much different from the examples already given: the subscriber to whom the SIM card is registered needs to come with a passport to a communication salon and write an application and sign an agreement with the company. On the same day, he will be given a SIM card from the Tele2 company.
After this, within 8 days the subscriber should receive an SMS indicating when the phone number will be transferred, and he will need to rearrange the SIM card in his phone. During this period, the subscriber is obliged to liquidate debts to the “donor” company, if any.
After turning on the Tele2 SIM card, the subscriber’s number may be unavailable for some time, but no more than half an hour - this is usually warned about in advance when concluding a contract.
Operators' liability
Changes to the Federal Law “On Communications”, namely in Article 46 of this law, provide for the liability of a cellular communication company for violating the deadlines for transferring a telephone number. Thus, if within the required 8 days the transfer of the subscriber’s telephone number is still not completed, the operator who has violated the deadlines for transferring the number to another company is obliged to provide the client with the opportunity to use cellular communications free of charge until the moment when the operator is actually changed while maintaining the number.
How to switch from Tele2 to MTS while maintaining your previous number? Do I need any special documents for this? For what reasons may a transition to another operator be prohibited? Will there be a paid service that allows you to change the Tele2 operator to MTS while maintaining the number? You will learn the answers to all these and many other questions by reading our article.
Briefly on the topic
In order to transfer your number to the MTS operator, you should fill out a form on its official website or come to the nearest MTS office with your passport and ask an employee about it. Your phone will be transferred to the new operator within eight days.
Is it possible to switch from Tele2 to MTS while keeping the number and how to do it?
If you have good reasons to change your mobile operator, but you don’t want to part with the phone you are used to and know to all your friends, then you can easily transfer from Tele 2 to MTS while keeping your number. This transition will be completely free for you and will take no more than eight calendar days. To check if there are any reasons that may prevent you from doing this, answer the following questions:
- Have you paid off all debts on this number?
In the event that there are still payment arrears on this card or the balance is even negative, a transfer to another operator will not be possible until all debts are fully repaid.
- Is this SIM card issued in your name and passport?
If you don’t remember who exactly bought your SIM card, then it’s better to find out in advance, because if it’s registered to your husband, girlfriend or mother, then only they will be able to transfer it to another operator. You can find out who the owner is by looking at the registration documents, if you still have them, or at a mobile phone store.
- Does this operator's coverage map match where you live?
This is a very important question, because no matter how tempting the tariffs and available options may seem to you, if in your home MTS catches only one percent or does not catch at all, then it will just be throwing money away. You can find out about the coverage map at the nearest communication store of this operator. Also, it would be useful to consult with people who live or work near you.
So, if you can agree with each of these points, then you can start translating.
What to do to? You will find out the answer to this question in another article on our website!
How to switch from Tele2 to MTS with your own number?
You can switch from Tele2 to MTS while saving your number:
- Via the Internet by filling out the appropriate form;
- By coming to your nearest MTS office.
By the way, even if you fill out the form via the Internet, later you will still have to visit a mobile phone store to get a new SIM card, to which your phone will subsequently be transferred. By the way, this service is paid. It will cost you one hundred rubles, which will be written off from your balance.
So, here's what the whole process of changing the operator will look like step by step:
- Step one:
Visit the nearest MTS cellular communication store and tell the employees that you would like to change the Tele2 operator to MTS while keeping the number. You will be asked to write a corresponding application and will be issued a new SIM card, to which your old phone will subsequently be transferred. Don't forget to take your passport with you!
Or
Go to the operator’s website and fill out the necessary form there, and then go to the communication store to get a new SIM card. You will also need your passport!
- Step two:
Take the time necessary to resolve all necessary issues between your operators - old and new. It takes no more than eight days. When everything is ready, a message will be sent to your old card stating that the new SIM card needs to be inserted into the phone for activation.
- Step three:
Insert the new card into your phone and wait for activation to complete. During this time, the network may be unavailable for about half an hour.
All is ready! You can use your new card with your old phone!
For all questions related to changing the operator on MTS, you can contact our support staff at 8 800 250 8 250 or 8 800 250 0890 . This call will be completely free for you both from a landline and from a mobile phone!
If you want to know about this, you can also read our other article, which contains complete information on this issue.
Are you not satisfied with the terms of your tariff plan or the quality of services of the mobile operator whose services you use, but due to some circumstances you cannot change your phone number? Now you have the opportunity to become a client of another operator without changing your usual phone number. This service is called MNP (Mobile number portability), which Europeans have been using for many years. By using this service, you will have the opportunity to choose a mobile operator with the most suitable conditions, while keeping your old phone number.
The MNP service has become even more accessible with the mobile operator “tele2”, with which users do not have problems with the quality and price of the communication services it provides.
If a client of another cellular operator has expressed a desire to use the services of Tele2, then he must make sure that his current operator will be able to provide him with such a service. Today, several cellular service providers can do this. If you are convinced that such a function is available to you, then you can safely contact the Tele2 brand salon.
At the same time, you should not forget that you need to confirm your identity. To do this, you need to provide your passport, and then a statement that you want to switch to service from the tele2 operator.
After your information is verified, you will enter into an agreement with Tele2 and receive a SIM card for temporary use.
After this, “tele2” will request permission for the number from the client’s old operator, and if he allows this (if there are no complaints against the subscriber), then the number is transferred, and the client becomes the owner of a new SIM card with his previous number, but he will be serviced already a new operator.
It is worth noting that a very important aspect of the transition is preparation for it, since unverified data can serve as a reason for refusing to change the operator.
To do this, you need to clarify all your questions with your current cellular operator. Make sure your passport details, registration address are correct and there are no debts by number (if they exist, you need to pay them off). And only after that should you apply for a transfer.
It is important that the “tele2” company activates the MNP service within 8 days from the moment the contract for the provision of services to the client is signed, which significantly saves your time and minimizes the inconvenience associated with the transition to “Tele2”. But it is worth noting that the transition time may take a different number of days; it is individual for each case.
If after the transition your number is out of network coverage, don’t worry! In a maximum of half an hour, your new SIM card will work as usual.
The tele2 operator takes care of its current customers and thinks about new ones, so there is no payment for the transition to Tele2. All services of this company are provided to new clients on general terms and conditions.
Also, the subscriber should not forget that he can change the cellular operator whose services he uses an unlimited number of times. That is, if for some reason you do not like the new service, you can do the same operation, but with a different operator, or return to the services of the old one. At the same time, you need to remember that a repeated transition may cost money; each company sets its tariffs individually.
For a subscriber who has switched to the services of another operator, it is important to know that at first he may experience some difficulties, such as interruptions in receiving SMS messages from banks or replenishing his phone account, and the functions of the new operator may not be available to you. But don't worry, these are all short-term difficulties that will disappear over time.
If you are interested in switching to the services of the cellular operator “tele2” while maintaining your number, then do not be alarmed, it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Many clients who have already done this are satisfied with the quality of Tele2 communications and service.
If you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact the Tele2 company, they will explain everything to you clearly and help you make the right choice.
The modern market for cellular communication services is represented by a lot of excellent offers. And current tariffs change and improve so often that sometimes it is simply impossible to keep track of it. Mobile operators also systematically compete with each other, trying to attract the attention of subscribers to their services.
That is why today quite often one can observe a trend in which subscribers decide to change their old mobile operator in favor of another cellular company. Fortunately, today such a possibility is real, and we will try to figure out how you can switch to Tele2 with your number in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and in any other city.
Instructions for switching to Tele2 while maintaining the number
For a successful transition, you must follow the instructions that we offer for your review below:
- Find the agreement that was concluded with the current operator when connecting. Make sure it is in your name directly. If you have made any changes to your passport data since connection, or the number is not issued to you at all, contact the contact center to make changes with the correct information.
- Visit any of the official offices of Tele2 to draw up an agreement there.
- After signing the contract, you will receive a new SIM card at the office.
- Check your current account from the old operator for debts. If there are any, take care to repay them on time, since the presence of debts can cause problems with the transition.
- Expect to receive a message about when you can start using the new Tele2 sim with your old number. Often such a message comes a day before the transition. And the transition takes place approximately 8 days from the date of submission of the application at the company’s office.
After completing the steps described above, you can start enjoying the selected tariff from your new mobile operator.
By the way, unlike MTS, MegaFon and Beeline, which have a paid service for switching while keeping your number, switching to Tele2 with your old number is absolutely free.
Video instructions on how to switch to another operator while maintaining your number
How to switch to Tele2 with your number online
In addition to the scheme for switching to service to Tele2 that we have already described, you can also achieve a successful result online. To do this, you must fill out an application on the operator’s website and then send it for consideration.
You can fill out the transfer form. It is necessary to correctly indicate the following information:
- The phone number from which you want to transfer;
- Contact phone number;
- Passport details (if you want to pick up the SIM card yourself);
- City of receipt of the SIM card;
- Card delivery address.
And, yes, delivery of a Tele2 SIM card by courier, as well as the transfer, is absolutely free.
After confirming the order, the information will be sent for processing and you just have to wait a little for a call back and the courier.
The abolition of “mobile slavery” has been in effect since 2013. Beeline allows subscribers of other operators to carry out the transition procedure while maintaining the subscriber number. Subscribers who are accustomed to their number and do not want to purchase a new one and distribute it to all their friends, relatives or work colleagues, now have no difficulty in changing their operator. Subscribers of any operators can connect their number to Beeline: Megafon, MTS, Tele-2.
In order to switch to Beeline while saving your number you will need:
- Make sure that there is no debt or blocking on the number.
- Come to the Beeline office with your passport, select a new tariff plan and write an application for transfer.
- Having received an SMS notification, on the 8th day after submitting the application, insert a new SIM card and easily use the number under the new conditions on the Beeline network.
- You can also order delivery of a new SIM card by courier service by entering the necessary data on the Beeline website.
Please note that the number will not be ported in the following cases:
- Availability of debt on the number.
- Blocking the number.
- Subscriber data does not match in the databases.
Thus, if a subscriber wants to warn in advance about possible problems with the transfer, you can contact the previous operator and check the passport data in the database. If your passport has changed, ask to change the data in the database to current ones.
Key Features
- The number is transferred on the 8th day after submitting the application. During this period, the subscriber uses his old SIM card, after which he receives an SMS with information that he can insert a new card into the phone.
- The cost of the service is 100 rubles, debited on the 3rd day after submitting the application from a new personal account created by the Beeline operator. When submitting an application, 200 rubles are paid as an advance payment, as in the case of a new connection. The upfront payment may vary depending on the plan you choose.
- The SIM card received at the operator’s office has a temporary number that can also be used. After the transfer, the old sim stops working.
- City numbers are not transferred, only long federal ones.
- Numbers are not transferred between regions - the number of any operator contains information about the region (the first three digits of the number) and the connection area (the second “three”).
- After porting a number, communication restrictions may occur for up to 6 hours. Usually numbers are transferred at night; for most new Beeline subscribers, communication problems go unnoticed.
If problems arise after the transfer later than 6 hours later, new subscribers should contact the operator in the office or by calling technical support.
What difficulties may arise after the transfer?
The transition from one operator to another takes a long time, but not all terminals and payment systems have changed the account replenishment algorithm. The terminals determine the operator and region by the first digits of the number. In some cases, you will have to manually select an operator and region. In cases of replenishing an account through offices, you can say in advance that the number has been transferred so that the payment does not get stuck in the payment system. It is also worth saving receipts until payment arrives in your account.
Otherwise, the transfer processes to Beeline are already automated and cases of communication problems are rare and optional.
