Porting a number from Virgin to BT after signing up

[BennyCe]

Hey guys

I signed up my parents to Virgin last year (broadband, phone and TV package), from BT, silly move, loads of issues. The BT number was ported to Virgin at the time. 

Now thinking of moving them back to BT due to the rubbish service from Virgin (honestly, do not sign up with them!). Struck in a contract with Virgin, will be challenging them to cancel early, but if I sign up with BT now, I'll get a new number no doubt, which is ok, but:

- am I able to port that old number from Virgin back to BT later on?

I spoke to an online agent, I was given a confusing answer, "sometimes we can, sometimes we can't!" as to whether it can happen later on!
 
Can anyone confirm please? 
I realise they are eligible for the Home Essentials broadband, not sure if that is treated differently when it comes to number porting etc? 

thanks

[Keith_Beddoe]

@BennyCe 

Welcome to this user forum for BT Retail phone and broadband customers.

Until they are actually a BT Retail Customer, there is nothing this forum can do.

Provided the phone number is not left inactive for more than 28 days, its normally possible.

When the order is placed with BT Retail, make sure they select the option to have a phone service, and that they want to keep the same number.

See https://www.bt.com/broadband/home-essentials

[iniltous]

Providers cannot hold phone numbers hostage , if the current provider has a bill with an outstanding amount that won’t ( or shouldn’t ) stop the number being ported ,they have other avenues to try and get any monies they think that are owed,

If your parents are at the same address , and they move ( back ) to BT then porting the current number should be possible even if BT Digital Voice is the way telephony is going to be provided, don’t be tempted to sign with BT , accepting any old BT number , or no number at all, argue the toss with VM over early termination charges, and then if VM have agreed to waive them , and cancelled their services, try to get BT to retrieve the number , that almost certainly won’t be successful .