Switch from Onecom to EE: How to Move Your Business Mobiles

Why EE?

If you are leaving Onecom, EE is one of the strongest alternatives for UK business mobiles. Here is why:

• Widest UK coverage: EE has the most extensive mobile network in the UK, covering more postcodes than any other network including Vodafone (which Onecom uses)
• Fastest 5G: EE's 5G network is available in more locations than any competitor
• Transparent pricing: No cashback models, no discount that expires mid-contract, no surprise price jumps
• Shorter contracts: 12 and 24-month options available, compared to Onecom's typical 36 months
• Direct relationship: You deal with EE directly, not a reseller
• Dedicated business support: EE has a specialist business team

We are Compare The Networks, an independent, OFCOM-regulated business telecoms comparison service. While EE is an excellent choice for many businesses, we always recommend checking all four networks before committing. Get a free comparison and we will show you how EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three compare for your specific needs.

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Step-by-Step: How to Switch from Onecom to EE

Step 1: Check Your Onecom Contract Status

Before you switch, understand your contractual position:

• When does your contract end? Check your original agreement or call Onecom to confirm
• Are you in the discount period or the full-price period? This affects whether waiting or leaving early makes financial sense
• What is your early termination fee? If you are still in contract, get this figure in writing from Onecom

If your contract has ended and you are on a rolling monthly basis, you can switch immediately with no penalty.

If you are still in contract, you have three options:

1. Wait until the contract ends
2. Pay the early termination fee
3. Challenge the contract through CISAS if you believe you were mis-sold — always in writing

Step 2: Check EE Coverage at Your Locations

Before committing to EE, check that coverage works for your business:

1. Visit EE's coverage checker at ee.co.uk
2. Enter every postcode where your team works — office, home addresses, client sites, regular travel routes
3. Check for 4G and 5G availability specifically
4. Compare against what you currently get with Vodafone through Onecom

In most areas, EE coverage is equal to or better than Vodafone. But coverage is hyper-local — a postcode can make the difference between full signal and nothing. Always check before switching.

If you want to compare coverage across all four networks at once, request a free comparison and we will do it for you.

Step 3: Choose Your EE Business Plan

EE offers several business plan types:

SIM-Only Plans

• Best for businesses that already own handsets or want to use existing devices
• Monthly costs from around 10 pounds per line
• 12 and 24-month contracts available
• Data allowances from 1GB to unlimited
• Multi-line discounts for businesses with several lines

Handset Plans

• Phone included in the monthly cost
• Latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy range, and other devices
• 24 and 36-month contracts
• Data allowances tailored to business use
• Option to split the cost into device and airtime for clarity

Business Flex

• Flexible plans that can be adjusted during the contract
• Good for businesses with changing needs
• Slightly higher cost but more adaptability

Step 4: Request PAC Codes from Onecom

A PAC (Porting Authorisation Code) lets you keep your existing phone numbers when switching providers. Here is how to get yours:

1. Text PAC to 65075 from each Onecom SIM — this should return your PAC code via text
2. Or call Onecom and request PAC codes for all your lines
3. Or email Onecom and request PAC codes in writing

By regulation, Onecom must provide your PAC codes within one working day. If they delay or make excuses, report this to Ofcom as it is a regulatory requirement.

Important: A PAC code is valid for 30 days. Once you give it to EE, the switch happens within one working day. Plan your timing accordingly.

If you have lines you do not want to keep the number for, you can request a STAC (Service Termination Authorisation Code) instead, which terminates the line without porting.

Step 5: Order Your EE Business Plans

Contact EE's business team or order online:

1. Choose your plan type (SIM-only or handset)
2. Select the data allowance for each line
3. Provide the PAC codes for each number you are keeping
4. Confirm your business details
5. EE will send new SIMs (or eSIMs) and activate the switch

Step 6: The Switch Day

When EE activates your PAC codes:

• Your Onecom service will end automatically
• Your EE service will start
• Your phone numbers will transfer to EE
• The whole process takes a few hours, typically completed within one working day
• There may be a brief period (minutes to hours) where incoming calls are disrupted during the port

Tip: Plan the switch for a day when brief phone disruption is least impactful. Avoid doing it during a critical business period.

Step 7: Cancel Any Remaining Onecom Services

If you have other Onecom services beyond mobile (such as broadband or VoIP), these are separate contracts and porting your mobile numbers will not cancel them. Contact Onecom in writing to formally cancel any remaining services, noting that your mobile services have been ported.

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EE vs Onecom: Cost Comparison

Here is how EE's direct pricing compares to Onecom's typical costs:

SIM-Only (20GB Data) Per Line

Even Onecom's introductory price is often higher than EE's direct business price. After the discount expires, the difference is dramatic.

With Handset (iPhone 16 Pro, 50GB Data) Per Line

Prices are indicative and vary by specific deal, promotion, and configuration. Get an accurate comparison for your business by requesting a free quote.

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EE's Business Advantages

Coverage

EE covers more of the UK than any other network. This is particularly important if:

• Your team works across multiple locations
• You have staff in rural or semi-rural areas
• You need reliable signal for field workers or drivers
• Vodafone coverage has been problematic for you

5G

EE's 5G network is the most extensive in the UK. If your business benefits from fast mobile data — for video calls, large file transfers, or mobile working — EE's 5G coverage gives you the best chance of accessing it.

Business Customer Service

EE has a dedicated UK-based business customer service team. This is a direct relationship — you call EE, you speak to EE. There is no reseller intermediary.

No Surprise Pricing

EE's business plans are transparent. The price you agree to is the price you pay for the duration of your contract. There are no cashback models, no discount periods that expire, and no mid-contract price shocks. Annual CPI-linked increases may apply, as with most networks, but these are clearly stated upfront.

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Should You Check Other Networks Too?

Honestly, yes. While EE is excellent for many businesses, it is not always the cheapest or the best for every situation:

• Three often has cheaper unlimited data plans
• O2 offers more flexible contracts with mid-term adjustment
• Vodafone (going direct, not through Onecom) has strong international roaming

The smart approach is to compare all four before committing. This is what we do — get a free comparison and we will check EE alongside Vodafone, O2 and Three for your business. It takes about 10 minutes and might reveal that another network is actually better for your specific needs.

After all, the whole problem with Onecom was being locked into one network without comparing alternatives. Do not make the same mistake again by jumping to EE without checking everything first.

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What About the Vodafone-Three Merger?

The Vodafone-Three merger will eventually create a combined network. This could mean improved coverage for customers on either network. However:

• The merger is still in progress and full network integration will take years
• EE's coverage advantage is significant and unlikely to be eliminated quickly
• Making decisions based on current, proven coverage is wiser than betting on future improvements

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I switch from Onecom to EE?

Request PAC codes from Onecom, give them to EE when ordering, and the switch happens within one working day. Your numbers transfer automatically.

Will I lose my phone numbers?

No. PAC codes preserve your numbers. The transfer is seamless.

Is EE more expensive than Onecom?

EE's direct pricing is typically much cheaper than Onecom's post-discount rates, and often cheaper than Onecom's introductory rates too. The total cost over a contract term is significantly lower.

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Related Guides

• How to leave Onecom
• Onecom vs EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three
• Onecom early termination fee calculator
• Best Onecom alternatives for business mobiles
• Compare business mobile deals across all four networks

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