Yes the system is a bit weird. Not just 3 though, applies to all networks. It's too late now since your new contract has started. Next time, when you finish the old contract, get a pay as you go sim from another network and port your number there. Then get the new phone with a new number. Get a PAC code from the PAYG sim network, and port the number to the new phone. That's what I did the last time. It's a pain, but at least it's a work around.
