This guideline is all you need to learn how to port to MTN from Telkom and Cell C; this can be done online even without the old SIM card number.
Porting to MTN means you are just changing your network to MTN but still keep the same number you are using either on Telkom or Cell C.
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 cell C, Vodacom or Telkom to MTN. First, do the SIM swap for MTN, then you can port them.
Steps To Port To MTN
The following are steps to port to MTN from Vodacom, Telkom or Cell C;
1. How To Port from Vodacom To MTN
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.
For example, you can get 1GB data for 7 days ( you chose my area offers). but if your mind is still made up on porting your Vodacom number to MTN, follow the steps below carefully.
Follow This Guideline:
Follow this step by step process to port from Vodacom to MTN in South Africa;
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.
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.
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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!! The guideline to do that i.e. porting from MTN to Vodacom is published already.
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.
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2. How To Port From Cell C To MTN
Porting to MTN from Cell is very straightforward. Follow the steps below to move your cell C number to MTN.
Follow this Guideline:
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.
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.
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3. How To Port From Telkom To MTN
If you want to move your Telkom number to MTN, follow the steps below:
How do I port from Telkom To MTN?
1. Maintain Your Telkom sim card number in the phone
You cannot port a lost Telkom Sim card number, so your line must be active. Keep it inside the phone ( for now).
2. Pay up your Telkom debt
If you are fond of borrowing airtime and data from Telkom and you have not paid back, I regret to inform you that the porting to MTN will be be successful.
Try and pay up your debts, simple!!
3. Recharge with airtime the Telkom inside the phone
Airtime recharge is needed for the porting process to work and complete. Just load around R5 on your Telkom line.
4. Telkom Line must not be a contract line
Do not bother porting from Telkom to MTN if your line is a contract line. In such a case, you will have to go to Telkom and disengage from your contract.
5. Get a new registered MTN SIM
Visiting an MTN store or PEP is the best and safest option to register a new MTN SIM in your name with your ID information.
Once registered, wait and do not yet insert the MTN inside the phone.
6. Send an SMS text from the Telkom to 0837678287
With your Telkom C sim card in the phone, send a text to MTN in this format … PORTME#(10-digit MTN SIM number)’ to 083 767 8287, e.g., ‘PORTME#0000000000’.
The 10 digit number is the serial number on the MTN pack.
However, if you wish to go back to Telkom after porting to MTN, you can only do so after 3 months!! The guideline to do that will be published shortly.
7. Confirmation message
A confirmation message will be sent to your number, check it and follow the instructions.
9. Lost Telkom Signal
Porting to MTN from Telkom takes approximately 8 hours from my experience. Once done, the network on the Telkom will go away.
Then, insert the MTN Sim card in the phone, wait for about 5 minutes, some welcome messages will come, then dial *136# to check your balance.
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3 Reasons To Port To MTN
There is no need to argue on the fact that MTN is the best mobile network provider in South Africa ( and in general the African continent).
This is one reason why most people when they are travelling out of the country or when they get to their destination, they tend to roam on MTN network.
Statistics, data and research has proven that MTN is the best in terms of speed, connectivity, data etc.
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On July 2022, MTN was voted and recognized as the best mobile network in South Africa. MTN clinched the top spot from the latest mobile network quality conducted by Mybroadband
Driven by their ‘ Ambition 2025’ objectives, MTN has spent more than R50 billion over the past year, upgrading its infastructure.
In the first half of 2021 alone, the company spent R3.2 billion on infastructre and network upgrade. All these developments placed MTN as the best network provider.
In the study conducted by mybroadband, it was discovered that MTN had the highest average download speed at 68.79Mbps, followed by Vodacom at 39.37Mbps, Telkom at 29.24Mbps, Cell C at 19.88Mbps and Rain at 10.86Mbps.
- MTN offers the best products and services to consumers all over the country. Their economic priced model works fantastic, from skawara to bozzagigs and mytownoffers (*136*2#) . These offers promoted MTN to be loved by consumers all over the country
- Lastly, if you lost your MTN sim card, to do SIM Swap is very easy. Cell C is the worst when it comes to doing SIM swap.
Please understand that mobile number portability or simply porting does not change your mobile number, all it does is just changing your mobile network provider.
If you enjoy this tutorial on how to port to MTN, kindly share your comment below, share it on Facebook and twitter and also link back to this article.