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One-week warning as big mobile firm with thousands of customers to close – move to make NOW to avoid losing your number
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A MAJOR mobile phone provider is closing within days and any customers still with the network need to move fast.
Plusnet, part of the BT Group, is permanently closing its mobile arm in June.
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The provider is making the move so EE, also part of the group, can takeover as its main mobile brand.
All Plusnet SIM cards will stop working once you've received your final bill from this month.
You'll need to switch to ensure you can still make calls, receive texts, browse the web and ensure that you can keep your number.
If you don't do this, you'll lose your connection for good.
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That said, Plusnet has said you have 40 days from the date you receive your final bill to make the move.
So, even if you received your final bill at the start of the month, you still have time to switch across to another SIM.
If you are a Plusnet customer, you can switch to another network without a fee and it doesn't matter if you are mid-contract.
A Plusnet spokesperson previously said: "We have been contacting customers since May 2023 to let them know our Plusnet mobile service is closing.
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"We have now confirmed that this will close for customers throughout June 2024."
Plusnet customers are being offered exclusive EE deals to switch over to.
Easy ways to slash your mobile bill
But, remember, you should only switch over to a deal because it's good value for money.
You can use comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket and Uswitch to search for the best offers on the market.
They also let you do an advanced search based on price, data, calls and texts.
It comes after Plusnet confirmed it is closing another service by the end of next year.
How does text-to-switch work?
TEXT-to-switch makes it quicker and easier to leave your mobile company by giving you control over how much contact you have with your existing provider.
This is how it works:
Text 'PAC' to 65075 - and keep your mobile number
- Text 'PAC' to 65075 to start the process
- The existing provider will text back within a minute and send the PAC number which will be valid for 30 days
- The provider's reply must also include information about any early termination charges or pay-as-you-go balances
- The customer then gives the PAC number to their new provider
- The new provider must arrange for the switch to complete within one working day
Text 'STAC' to 75075 - and get a new mobile number
- Most people want to keep their number when they switch but one in six do not
- Text 'STAC' to 75075 to get a service termination authorisation code
- The rest of the process is the same as above
Text 'INFO' to 85075 - and find out more
- If you are unsure about whether you will have to pay early termination charges text 'INFO' to 85075
- You will only receive this information
The telecoms firm told The Sun it will no longer offer home phone services to existing customers by the end of December 2025.
How to cut mobile phone costs
Switching mobile phone contracts is one of the easiest ways you can cut the cost of what you pay.
However, if you are mid-way contract with your provider, you might have to pay an early exit fee to switch.
It's usually best to wait until just before the end of your contract before switching providers.
Most of the time, new customers are offered the best deals as firms try their best to get new business in.
So use a price comparison site to search around for the best deal to suit your needs, then use it to haggle your current firm down.
If it refuses to offer you a better price for a similar deal, you can always ditch it and go with the new provider.
You might find your old firm gets in touch offering you a last-minute better deal too.
If you're not comfortable haggling with your firm over the phone, you can always try talking to it via the web chat function.
In any case, make sure you are polite to whoever you end up talking to, as they are just doing their job.
You could also save on your mobile phone and broadband contracts by signing up for a social tariff.
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They are available to people on certain benefits including Universal Credit and are usually much cheaper than standard deals.
Ofcom, the regulator, has a list of broadband and phone social tariffs currently available on its website.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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