My recent experience of mobile phone companies has been frustrating. To move my phone number from one company to another should be straight forward.

I took out a 24 month contract at £31 a month for a fancy Motorola 5G ready mobile. I offered to collect it from a nearby retail outlet, but they insisted on delivering it by courier. The courier messaged to say there was a 24 hour delay.

The previous provider asked for me to leave my details in a voicemail and they would get back to me within 48 hours. If all goes well I should have a new phone with my old number by Wednesday.

The courier left a message saying “sorry we missed you” in the porch today. Curious, given that I was in all day. I have rescheduled the delivery for tomorrow…watch this space if you can bear the tedium of delays.

Whoopee …my new phone arrived! All I need now is for my previous provider to contact me to sort out the PAC code.

The end of the line?