One of the good things about '3' Pre Pay SIMs has been that one could obtain a free £10 credit for importing a number into the account. ( This was and is only available once per account. )
However, I guess that too many people have taken advantage of this, and having used the £10 of free credit ( e.g. on 2 months of data use via internet Add Ons ) have then binned their SIM. This is all that I can think of to explain '3' changing their policy on this.
I arranged a port in a number to a new '3' Pre Pay SIM this morning, but although the £10 of free credit is still available, it is now subject to a restriction. The rule now is that
you have to topup, within 30 days of the number being imported for you,
by a minimum of £10 - and the £10 of free credit will then be added on the 31st day.
But no topup, NO FREE CREDIT !
Pity !