This guideline is all you need to learn how to port from Vodacom to MTN and still retain the same number. Before moving ahead , it is important to understand the concept and meaning of porting.
Porting from Vodacom to MTN means you are just changing your network to MTN but still keep the same number you are using on Vodacom.
MTN number portability is very easy to do in as much you still have your original number with you. For example, you cannot port your lost Vodacom to MTN. First, do the SIM swap for that Vodacom number, recover it and then you can now move over to MTN.
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Many people in South Africa complains a lot on the fact that Vodacom is the most expensive mobile network provider in the country. This assertion is difficult to agree on because of varying experiences of people.
On a personal note, I bought 1 GB data of Vodacom and I noticed that it finished quickly when I used it on my router and connected to my laptop. I was surprised. So I guess they may be correct.
But while this assertion may be true for some users, Vodacom also came up with something similar like Telkom monice. Just dial *123# and you will see various cheap data and airtime options for yourself.
Without juxtaposing facts with mirage, the following are steps needed to port your Vodacom number to the MTN network.
1. Keep your Vodacom sim card number in your phone
To Port to MTN from Vodacom, the first step you need to take is to make sure your Vodacom sim card is in the phone. Do not remove it yet.
2. Clear your Vodacom debt
If you are owing Vodacom, porting to MTN will not go through because Vodacom will block it. So if you have unpaid airtime or data credit, try and pay them all.
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3. Load airtime on your Vodacom Sim card ( because you are going to send SMS)
Porting to MTN is easy, all you have to do is to send an SMS from your Vodacom sim card inside your phone to MTN. To do that, make sure you recharge your Vodacom Sim card, R2 is enough for this process.
4. Make sure your Vodacom is not a contract line
To Port To MTN from Vodacom works if your Vodacom starter pack sim card is a prepaid Vodacom SIM card. If your MTN line is under a contract, sorry it will not be successful, unless you see out your contract or you cancel it.
5. You cannot port a lost Vodacom SIM card to MTN
These are tricks that used to work before but it is no longer working. Porting to MTN of a lost or misplaced Vodacom SIM card will not work. First, do the SIM of the Vodacom line, then you can now port to MTN.
6. Buy a new MTN starter pack and get it rica
Buy a new MTN Starter pack sim card and get it registered with your name and ID. Do this according to the law of RICA.
You can get the SIM card from any MTN stores or agents ( but make sure the agents registers you with your name and ID, do not take the sim cards that are already ricad.
After the registration, be patient, do not put the new MTN sim card in the phone yet.
In addition, I will advise you rica the MTN SIM card yourself, this approach is better for convenience and privacy security.
7. Send an SMS text from the Vodacom SIM card in the phone to 0837678287
With your Vodacom sim in the phone, send a text to MTN in this format … PORTME#(10-digit MTN SIM number)’ to 083 767 8287, e.g., ‘PORTME#8855060439’ ( using the image below as an example)
This will notify Vodacom of your desire to leave their network and join MTN.
However, if you wish to go back to Vodacom probably because you are not satisfied with MTN any longer, you can only do so after 3 months!!
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8. Get Confirmation messages
After you have sent the messages, you will get confirmation messages that the porting process has started. Once it is done, you will also get another confirmation.
9. Lost Vodacom Signal
Porting to MTN from Vodacom takes approximately 6 hours from my experience. Once it is completed, your Vodacom SIM card that is still inside your phone will lose network.
You will not be able to call or see messages or even check your balance. It means they have moved your number to MTN.
Once you observe this, you can then remove the Vodacom SIM card and insert the MTN Sim card. Wait for about 5 minutes, dial *136#.
After this, you will get SMS telling you welcome to MTN, then dial *135#, chose option 2 ( rica), then chose option 3 ( what is my number).
Immediately you confirm of the successful port to MTN from Vodacom, go and buy MTN airtime and recharge immediately.
