Specific Number Request

[whitz]

Hello,

I would like to have a particular number. I believe it is available because when I call it, the machine says "The number you have called is not recognized, please check the number and try again"

Now, apparently, BT cannot tell me whether numbers are available until I place an order, but my argument is, what is the point if going through a credit check, paying the costs and then later being told "sorry sir, your number is not available", I just want to be given an answer now, you know? So I can happily place the order. I live in the same geographical area of the number & the original issuer is BT.

Also, I am currently living at my parents house, but I will be moving soon, but I don't know how soon and I really want this number like now. As a result, do BT provide virtual landline services? Can I have a number only and not have anything installed? Do you see what I mean?

Your answers are much appreciated. Thank you very much.

[Keith_Beddoe]

@whitz 

BT Retail will not allow you to specify a number unless you were a previous customer who wanted their original number back. You would have to prove that was the case.

Also, the fact that the number is in the same geographic area, does not mean it can be allocated. It would have to be on the same physical exchange building that your new address is connected to, as each exchange has a unique number range, which cannot be changed.

BT Retail do not provide a virtual number service, but I think that BT Business may offer such a service, but you would not be able to request a specific number.

You would still need a physical line.

[iniltous]

TBH, if you want an answer now, then it’s ‘no, that number cannot be allocated now’ if that affects your decision to order or not order , use BT or someone else, then obviously that’s your choice, but no provider would offer what you want, and dialling the number and getting ‘the number you have dialled is not available’ , could mean it’s a valid but currently unused number, but it could also be that it’s in a number range not allocated to BT, or not allocated to any company at all, or is not a valid number on the local exchange that the property you intend to live in is ‘connected to’
There are other considerations too, for example a number 01***,654321 could be valuable to say a taxi firm, and a ‘golden’ number may not be in the pot of numbers for general allocation.

[albertj]

@whitz 

I’m not allowed to say their names, but their are some VOIP Companies that allow you to pick a number.

Obviously, you would have to have a bit of luck getting the exact number you want. But if you call them, they may be able to help more than BT. 

You would have to have broadband to use VOIP though, so you would still have your line + VOIP. But you would know if you could get the number before ordering. Some are even free if you don’t place calls, and then cheaper with caller packages. But because of Line Rental, I still don’t think it’s cost effective to use VOIP if you have broadband over your phone line, unless you want a business line or cheap international calling.

[iniltous]

Although someone can port a ‘working’ number they already have to a VOIP provider, I would think that approaching a VOIP provider and asking them to allocate you a number from another CP’s number range when that number isn’t even currently in use is unlikely to be successful.
Number port was introduced to remove a perceived barrier to switching, the type of punter the regulator had in mind , when it came to number portability, was someone with a number that they were so attached to, losing it would in effect stop them ever considering switching , the OP doesn’t fall into that category, that’s not to say a VOIP provider couldn’t offer a potential customer the option to chose an unused number from that VOIP providers own number range, but again that’s not what the OP wants.
AFAIK a number has to be in use , and the account in the name of the person who wants to ‘port’ the number to another provider, and that other provider has to request the port in the correct way, or put it another way a CP isn’t going to be forced to provide a number on its own platform , just so they then can port the number immediately , just because a punter likes the look of that number (but doesn’t necessarily want t use the number range holder to obtain it)
The OP doesn’t have any existing relationship to the number , so it’s not as though they are being deterred from switching.

[whitz · Accepted solution]

Erm, I'm not sure why the negative responses? Basically, I've been in contact with BT and they said to me that the number is spare and has been reserved for me. So will be placing the order. I have looked up the exchange area on https://availability.samknows.com/broadband/exchange_search and both the desired telephone number & my address are listed on the exact exchange.

Thanks for your help, anyways.

[albertj]

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@whitzwrote:

Erm, I'm not sure why the negative responses? Basically, I've been in contact with BT and they said to me that the number is spare and has been reserved for me. So will be placing the order. I have looked up the exchange area on https://availability.samknows.com/broadband/exchange_search and both the desired telephone number & my address are listed on the exact exchange.

Thanks for your help, anyways.

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Glad you got it sorted 😊

[whitz]

Thank you Albert. Much appreciated.

[slipco]

I am in the same situation. How did you manage to choose your number.