Moving house and number porting

[reddom]

I'm attempting to help with a house move for my parents.  They currently have broadband and phone with TalkTalk.  They are moving within the same area code.  Talk talk have been terrible, but the current upshot is that they have been told they cannot transfer their existing service and will need a new TalkTalk service at the new address with a new number.
They have had the current number of over 50 years originally with BT and then a variety of other providers most of which have been taken over and ended up at TalkTalk.
Is there a better chance of them keeping the number if they first move to BT and then do the house move thing.  TalkTalk are very much of the "computer says no" approach. I dont really understand the number porting process to know whether its really no, or just we cant be bothered and dont have a process sort of no.

[Keith_Beddoe]

If they move their service to BT, and request that they keep their number, then it should normally be fine. 

Bear in mind that the BT phone service would now be provided using BT Digital voice.

They must start the process by placing an order with BT, for phone and broadband. They must not cancel with Talk Talk first, otherwise they will lose their number.

BT will contact Talk Talk to say they are taking over your service.

[reddom]

thank you, i guess the question is, would bt then be more likely to be able to migrate the number to the new address when talk talk say they cant at that exchange? is there a way to check

[Keith_Beddoe]

The reason why they cannot migrate the number to the new address, is that they do not own the number, it belongs to BT.

Talk Talk are also migrating to their own version of VOIP (Voice Over IP), and would be in the process of moving their own customers.

I would expect that trying to move another providers number would be beyond their capability. Once they attempt to do it, the number would revert back to BT.

Numbers are no longer provided from an exchange.

[reddom]

should they sign up as a new account at the existing address, and then doa house move afterwards.  Or should they sign up as a new account at the new address but ask to take their number with them from talktalk (is this even possible?)

[Keith_Beddoe]

Are they out of contract with TT?

If they are, then it would be best to start a new contract with BT, then when the time comes, do a home move with BT. There is much less chance of them losing their number, as it should be a smooth transfer of service

When are they planning to move, as BT do require some notice?

There has to be time allowed for their BT service to be provided at their current address, a date will be given when the BT order is placed.

[reddom]

Thanks, such great info.   yes out of contract with TT, They are moving within a couple of weeks, but there will be quite an overlap as the old place not even on the market yet, so can manage with mobile at the new place during the interim, I'm much more concerned about them being able to keep the number long term.  thx again

[Keith_Beddoe]

BT will inform TT, who will then release the number back to BT. Its important that the number is not left inactive for more than 28 days, otherwise it will be totally lost.

What can happen is that BT initially have to provide phone service on new number, until the old number is released by TT. It should then revert to the original number.

Its important to chase this up if this does not happen within a week after activation, bearing in mind the 28 day limitation. After that date, its impossible to recover the number, as all of the network routing would have been deleted.