Porting Landline Number

[#1]

Hi,

Have just renewed my Plusnet contract from FTTC with phone to FTTC without phone (I believe this is known as SoGEA.

My changeover date was today and my phone line ceased working around 6pm tonight. I am going to port my landline number to Andrews and Arnold. I have found a page on A&A's website page to request the port.

My question: is it safe to request the port immediately, or is it best to wait a couple of days (to prevent my broadband line getting ceased when the port request goes through)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Once you are on SOGEA, you can port immediately, you have 30 days from today to do this.

[#3]

@Schiehallion 

Once you move to SOGEA your landline is "ceased"

As stated you have 30 days from the date of SOGEA to do the port. It's always better to do it ASAP in case of problems.

A&A are one of those companies who can handle the port of a ceased line. Their system may say no to start with but they then phone to get a manual port done.

Brian

[#4]

@jab1, @bmc 

Thank you both for your help. Will fill out A&A's online form tomorrow morning.

Thanks

[#5]

Just thought I'd post a positive conclusion.

My service changed from Plusnet "Fibre" to SOGEA on 25th October. My landline service ceased on this date.

On 26th October, I filled out an online request on Andrews & Arnold's website, to port my existing phone number over to them. I had to chose the option to port a CEASED number.

Everything went through without the slightest hitch. My number was activated, on VOIP, on 1st November.

[#6]

I had to chose the option to port a CEASED number.

Interesting to note that there's now an option to infrom that the number is ceased.

[#7]

@Schiehallion 

Good to hear everything went smoothly.

Thanks for sharing the information about choosing a ceased line. We can add that to the advice given to people in the future.

Brian

[#8]

@bmc @MisterW 

Very impressed with A&A. Have used them twice now (1st time for getting my dad's number transferred to a VOIP service).

Online ordering is straight forward. Assuming you know to pick the "Ceased" option.

[#9]

Hi,

How much does the A&A landline replacement service cost? I've found some charges but I'm not sure which package to look for?

Thanks

Martin

[#10]

It costs £12 to port the number in then £1.20/month rental. Calls to UK landlines are 1.25p/min (min charge 2p), mobiles 3.3p/min ( min charge 2p )

NB all prices are exVAT.

Its all here https://www.aa.net.uk/voice-and-mobile/voip-information/

You will also need either a VOIP phone or ATA (if you wish to connect existing phones)

[#11]

Hi,

OK - looks like I found the right bit. It just seemed that the ongoing costs were a lot less than I anticipated - I guess I thought it would be along the lines of another BT-style line rental cost. Now we just need to work out whether it's worth keeping all the junk calls we get on the landline number we've had for nearly 30 years in order to get the odd real call!

Thanks

Martin

[#12]

 It just seemed that the ongoing costs were a lot less than I anticipated - I guess I thought it would be along the lines of another BT-style line rental cost.

No, voip is (can be) considerably cheaper. The big boys like BT/Sky etc still try and charge similar prices for their 'Digital voice' to the old line rental and call charges. Third party voip suppliers are MUCH cheaper.

Of course , with third party suppliers you must alllow for the initial cost of voip equipment, but if you don't make many outgoing calls then the likes of A & A will be cheaper over say a year, even allowing for any initial cost

[#13]

@MrSoapsud 

With A&A you'd pay a lot for out going calls as they don't appear to have any call packages.

They are cheap if you just want to keep a number live for the odd call (as you say).

Brian

[#14]

@MrSoapsud 

Hi, I've transferred my phone number and my dad's phone number to A&A's VOIP service.

Costs are a one off £12 to port the BT (or Plusnet) landline number. £1.44 a month rental charge. Call to UK landlines vary between 1ppm and 1.5ppm depending on the time and day.  Calls to UK mobiles are always 4ppm.

Calls from 1 A&A number to another A&A number are free, as long as neither party has changed the call routing.

All above prices include VAT.

You will probably need to purchase an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor). I use the Grandstream HT801 and power it from the USB socket on my Hub 2. I haven't changed any settings on my hub 2.

I certainly recommend moving your landline number to a VOIP service (and I would recommend A&A having dealt with them for my number and my dad's number).

I have a bt call guardian phone connected to my ATA, and it blocks out any junk calls. I also prefer to give out my landline number, so I don't get bothered on my mobile when I'm out.

Myself and my dad both use the Grandstream HT801, and they have both been reliable so far. Takes a bit of getting your head round for the initial set up, but there are help files on the A&A website and this forum is a great source for help too.

As I said further up, I use the Plusnet Hub 2 router. I believe the older Hub 1 isn't suitable for VOIP.

[#15]

Hi @Schiehallion ,

So I don't need to buy a new phone - just buy one of those and use my existing ones. That's good to know - thanks. We have a Hub 2 already so that helps.

Cheers

Martin