Are you tired of the instability of Cell C and wants to move your number to MTN? Then this tutorial is for you. This guideline lays out comprehensive step by step cautious approach on how you can port your Cell C number to the MTN number.
This act of porting does not change your number, the number remains the same except that it is now on the MTN network and you will be buying MTN airtime and data henceforth and no longer Cell C.
Even after charting new paths to restore customer confidence in terms of stable network reliability, their debt restructuring, and even roaming on the MTN network for their prepaid customers; 1 out of 4 Cell C customers still complains on their unstable and unreliable network.
If you find yourself in this situation and you are ready to leave Cell C and move over to MTN, follow the steps below:
1. Keep your Cell C sim card number in your phone
Your Cell C SIM must be active; just leave it inside the phone and follow the next step.
2. Clear your Cell C debt
Clear your debt because you cannot run away to MTN with your debts at Cell C. Do this and make sure you are free.
3. Recharge your Cell C inside the phone
All that is required is that you are going to send an SMS to MTN, so make sure you have sufficient airtime. At least, make sure you have at least R1 to R2.
4. Make sure your Cell C is not a contract line
If your Cell C is on contract with Cell C, porting to MTN will not be successful. In such a case, you need to cancel the contract first and become a free person. Thereafter you can move to MTN.
5. You cannot port a lost Cell C SIM card to MTN
Many people used to think that instead of doing sim swap for their lost Cell C number that they can simply port it to MTN.
The truth is that it used to work before, but it has stopped for more than 2 years now. So do not let anyone scam you that it is possible.
6. Buy a new MTN starter pack register it
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.
The best option is to go to PEP or any MTN store and get it registered in your name and details.
After the registration, be patient, do not put the new MTN sim card in the phone yet.
You may like:
- How To Cancel Subscription On Cell C ( USSD Code To Unsubscribe And Check)
- How To Stop Airtime Disappearing On Cell C
7. Send an SMS text from the Cell C still inside the phone to 0837678287
With your Cell C sim card n the phone, send a text to MTN in this format … PORTME#(10-digit MTN SIM number)’ to 083 767 8287, e.g., ‘PORTME#8855060439’. The 10 digit number is the serial number on the MTN pack. See image below.
However, if you wish to go back to Cell C after porting to MTN, you can only do so after 3 months!! The guideline to do that will be published shortly.
8. OTP Confirmation messages
After you have sent the messages, a one time pin ( OTP) will be sent to your cell C that is still inside the phone.
This is done as a verification precaution to avoid stolen SIM card number. After this, another confirmation messages will come telling you that the porting process has been initialized.
9. Lost Cell C Signal
Porting from Cell C to MTN takes approximately 5 hours from my experience. Once it is completed, your Cell C 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 Cell C SIM card and insert the MTN Sim card. Wait for about 5 minutes, 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 Cell C, go and buy MTN airtime and recharge immediately.