Unable to port my number to new provider, and unexpected price increases

[#1]

I decided to look for a cheaper deal via Compare the Market, as my contract expires next month, however they called me to say that they had been unable to take over my existing phone number, which obviously I would like to keep. The reason given was that there was a problem with the account, or an order in place.

I checked my account, and have a zero balance, and no outstanding orders, however while checking this, I found my last bill has increased by almost £13, which I suppose might be the out of contract price. My contract expires on December 16th, so this bill should not have increased.

There was also a small increase in the previous bill, just a matter of pennies, but still unexplained.

The decrease after the last bill in the attached screenshot is due to BT Sport cancellation.

Can a staff member please check this for me, and explain why I am unable to port my number to a new supplier?

[#2]

Openreach implemented a Stopsell on WLR in Sept, so its not possible for any supplier to order any product that includes a landline.

[#3]

Surely that can't be correct, if the new supplier were able to offer me a new number?

[#4]

@Jaggies You pay a month in advance for your broadband and phone, so this invoice is for 17/12/23 to 16/01/24.

Any new contract, in this case with a new supplier, is subject to the WLR 'stop sell' rules, no-one can offer traditional PSTN services any more.

Had you remained with PN, and merely renegotiated a new contract, you would have been able to retain your number - up to December 2024.

[#5]

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@Jaggies wrote:
Surely that can't be correct, if the new supplier were able to offer me a new number?

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@Jaggies 

That would probably depend on who the new supplier is, i.e. whether they offer a VoIP service over which the new number would be provided.

[#6]

@Jaggies

OTOH, see this thread;

apparently

[#7]

@RobPN  I posted in that thread about TalkTalk LLU, and from another forum it seems @Jaggies is trying to move to Shell Energy Broadband. The LLU MPF  service is an exception to the stop sell and certainly applies to ADSL, not sure of the situation with FTTC. I have had FTTC with a TalkTalk phone service in the past and this rather confusing OR document does say FTTC with MPF can still be ordered.

OR Stop sell 

If that is the case then I don't see why the existing number cannot be ported to the new line. Possibly lack of competence at Shell Broadband.

[#8]

Yes, apologies @RealAleMadrid for not posting a direct link or reference to your post which was the relevant one in that short thread! 

[#9]

Thanks all.
I may have to renew with PN, but the contract offered is 18 months, and there is the possibility of being able to get CityFibre here at some point, so I'd much rather have a 12 month (or shorter!) contract, and then port my number to a VoIP service.
God alone knows when OR will fibre up this burgh...
I still have a few weeks to decide.