Delay in Port-In

The instructions say to complete the online form (i.e. provide my old number and PAC Code) and the port will be processed on the date selected by me. What it fails to say is that the earliest date I can select is 3 days away (27th Jan), so I will be without my correct number - no texts or phone calls - for 3 days. Completely useless! Is this Lebara's normal standard of service? If so, I may just go back to EE.

Ports dont happen over weekend that is standard practice for all providers. Its ofcom regulated they set the rules not Lebara

Monday to Friday only 9am-5pm cutoff.
If done on Friday wont be till Monday. If done before 5.
In the UK, mobile number porting is a highly standardized process regulated by Ofcom. While the actual transfer usually takes place the next working day, the specific time it happens depends on when you submitted your PAC (Porting Authorisation Code).
Day/Time Submitted Expected Transfer Day

Mon – Fri (Before 5:30 PM) - The next working day

Mon – Thu (After 5:30 PM) - two working days later

Friday (After 5:30 PM) - Tuesday

Sat or Sunday - Tuesday

2. On the Day of the Transfer
The porting process is not instantaneous at 9:00 AM. It happens in stages throughout the day:
Window of Completion: Most transfers are completed between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, though in some cases, it can take until 9:00 PM.
The "Split Service" Phase: You might experience a period where you can make calls but not receive them, or your old SIM still works while your new one is "warming up." This is normal.
What to do: If your service feels "glitchy" on the day, restart your phone every hour. This forces the device to reconnect to the network and recognize the ported number.
3. Key Deadlines & Facts
PAC Validity: Your PAC code is valid for 30 days. If you don't use it in time, you’ll need to request a new one (text 'PAC' to 65075).
No Weekend Porting: UK networks do not process number transfers on Saturdays, Sundays, or Bank Holidays.
Don't Cancel Manually: Do not cancel your old contract yourself. The porting process automatically triggers the cancellation of your old service the moment the number moves over. If you cancel early, you risk losing the number entirely.

Note: Some networks (like SMARTY or Sky) have slightly earlier cut-offs at 5:00 PM, while others (like EE or O2) usually stick to 5:30 PM.

Ofgem's requirement (and Lebara's licence obligation) is to complete the porting within one working day. Do you agree that Monday is a working day? It ends at 24.00 hours on that day. Tuesday is not within one working day.

When did you request the port that is the question.
Anyway if your phone supports dual sim which most do can have both or just leave old sim in your phone till port.

Doesn't matter wether it's Lebara / EE or o2 all follow same process wont be aby different. Depending on when you did port.

Wildman544 just wanted to check if your port has completed yet?

Superuser25 Interesting, thanks for the info. I am awaiting a reverse activation as I was having trouble with the ESim. I spoke to C.S. around Saturday Lunchtime and was told Tuesday. I get these things do not happen instantly at 9 am. I know my case is not a port in, but should i keep checking throughout the day? Thanks again, and hello all

Martin no it hasn't.

Superuser25 i requested the port early on Saturday morning. I have no interest in whether others are also breaching their licence obligation, only that Lebara are doing so.

Well again its weekend its your misunderstanding what 1 working day is.

Saturday is not a working day.

If you have a problem go to ofcom they will tell you same thing.