FTTP and releasing landline number to the BT pool

[#1]

Hello all,

We've just had FTTP installed which has replaced our copper & removed our landline. Does anyone know how long our landline number will be released back into the BT pool for our area? 

I'm trying to get our number back with my VOIP provider, https://www.telappliant.red/ (formally Draytel.org) and any information would be most helpful.

Thanks all

Martin

[#2]

I believe that you have 30 days.

I would recommend moving quickly. I am partway through a port at the moment. It has taken 24 days for the port to be agreed and is scheduled to complete on day 29.

This is with A&A who are generally held up as "people who know what they are doing" on these forums.

I'm not sure what the hold up was - I'll ask for an explanation once the port has completed. (fingers crossed.)

Ian

[#3]

@it344x 

30 days as stated from the day your phone service ceased.

One thing to watch out for is "Ports" can fail due to the line being ceased - many automated systems can't handle this. A&A get good reviews because their support know to phone BT support to get a manual port done (if it was a PN phone line).

Brian

[#4]

I am going through this now, losing our Sky landline number. Moving to Voipfone, I selected the port option (free) for the 2nd July, and got confirmation next day that the port had been authorised. I believe industry standard is 30/ 31 days.

Mark

[#5]

Moderators Note

This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to My Account / Billing

[#6]

Is there any particular reason you picked Voipfone? I have my business line with them but thinking of porting our domestic landline number to Andrews & Arnold because they should work out cheaper.

[#7]

I did some figures before deciding. We don't dial out, it is only for family incoming calls. It is £1.50p  and no porting in fee. I looked at A&A, but the porting fee put me off.

Mark

[#8]

That's interesting. I'm paying £3/month for the number I ported in a couple of years ago. Plus an extra £1.50 for an extension. One advantage of A&A from what I can see is the ability to use multiple endpoints on the same number at no additional cost. I wouldn't need to pay for the extension.

[#9]

@Marksfish 

I did some figures before deciding. We don't dial out, it is only for family incoming calls. It is £1.50p  and no porting in fee. I looked at A&A, but the porting fee put me off.

Are you sure ? I think @TooManyPies is correct. The Voiphone Flex plan is £1.50/m but it only includes an 055 number. Adding a normal number, whilst porting is free, adds £3/m to the cost.

From here https://www.voipfone.co.uk/services/porting

How much does it cost?

There are no charges to move your number to Voipfone.

You can either move your number to a Voipfone plan - e.g. Voipfone 100 - and it will become the number included in the plan price, or to Voipfone Flex where it's just £3 ex VAT per month and you pay separately for any calls you make.

[#10]

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@MisterW wrote:

Are you sure ? I think @TooManyPies is correct. The Voiphone Flex plan is £1.50/m but it only includes an 055 number. Adding a normal number, whilst porting is free, adds £3/m to the cost.

I think so. I did some checking beforehand and i'm a tightwad, so will be a bit upset if I got it wrong!! Will find out on July 2nd when the number ports in, I suppose 😀. I can see an 05 number on my account, but i'm not being charged for it from what  can see.

Mark

[#11]

I can see an 05 number on my account, but i'm not being charged for it from what  can see.

Correct, there's no charge for an 05 number because (I believe) the charges to call it are quite high and voiphone get a precentage of those charges. I suspect you will be charged the £3/m for the normal landline number when it ports...

[#12]

This is the information I was initially working off. I'm sure i've had a discussion with them about the costs, but can't find any emails. Maybe I did it through chat? 

[#13]

Hmmm, confusing isn't it!

I suspect the question is , 'when is a Plan not a Plan?'  and the answer is 'when its Voipfone Flex'.

We'll be interested to hear if you get charged or not...

Personally, I don't see how they're going to make money if they port for free and then don't charge a monthly fee for the number on the Flex product.

Still, I suppose if they do try charging , you can always port to A & A , unless there's a minimum period (or a porting out charge?)

[#14]

It's as clear as mud 😁

The 05 number given doesn't ring (I have set up the app, so I know this), in fact it doesn't even appear to be connected. I have been given a free 5 minutes to test out. If I call out on the app, my landline number is presented as caller id, even though it hasn't ported yet!

No minimum term and no port out fees, so if it is prohibitively expensive, i'll go elsewhere. So long as it is less than the £5pm that BT charge for their voice offering, i'm not really too worried, but will report back when I get a bill.

Mark

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[#15]

It also states further down under the Flex column

Included phone numbers (per account)	None

You need to add a geographic number (your ported number) at a cost of £3/month giving a total cost of £4.50 +VAT