Landline help

[Sardinian]

Hi, 

Just taken out new contract. How do I ask to change the landline number I have been given, to my old landline number, only recently "lost by vodafone. Have to use new number for new contract with sky, but want ot change it asap. Same area code. 

thank you, 

[Highlinder]

@SardinianDid you not ask when you were ordering Sky broadband and talk to keep your old number before making the transfer over to Sky?

[Sardinian]

Hello highlander, thanks for your reply..

yes, I did ask, but tad complicated.

had a contract with Vfone, changed address, took out new contract, they failed to port my old landline number,  gave me one with different area code. cancelled contract , went with sky,

originally told my old number was available, but sky could not cancel my Vfone, contract, as it was "wrong" number. So, told by sales that new contract had to be in the phone number assigned, ok, but how do I get sky to change it once new contract starts. I'm told only provider can change it. 

[Highlinder]

@SardinianNot really sure you will be able to get it back. But it would be for Sky to try and see if it was possible if it has not already been taken.

[Mark39]

@Sardinian so,far zs I'm aware Sky can only port the number that's active with your old provider at the time of the switch. If they can't port the number for some reason at the time of the switch, they'll give you a new number. To my knowledge, once the,switch to Sky has been completed, they have no way of changing the number.

[Sardinian]

@Mark39, , yes, that's what the sky rep said, but, I've been advised by others that it should be possible to change the existing landline. It certainly was when BT ran it all. 
I guess I have to wait until my contract goes live and then make the attempt. Otherwise I'll consult  ofcom.

many thanks. 

[Mark39]

@Sardinian yes, I think BT and therefore probably Plusnet have broader options than the other mainstream providers. I doubt Sky has the interface with Openreach to facilitate pulling non-active numbers.

So far as I know there's no OFCOM requirement with regard to porting numbers, other than as part of the switching process.

[Lisa-P1987]

Unfortunately what you are wanting to do is not possible. We can only take over the active number from Vodafone, or assign you a new number. So if vodafone did not activate you on your old number, we cannot now activate it. 

Once your service goes active, we cannot assign a new number to the line, the only circumstance is if your number is getting niusance calls, however, a new recycled number would be provided. 

So either way, your old number is gone now. Sorry about that. 

[Sardinian]

Hi Lisa, 

thank you for your input, and I understand skys position on this regarding the current number nd a new contract. 

What I do find difficult to understand is why you cannot then change that number back to our original number if it is still available? 

According to the information I have, providers like yourself are the only ones who can allocate numbers? So if you can't, who can? 

Again, no complaint against  Sky, it was Vodafone who screwed up, but if you and other providers are responsible for allocating numbers, why is it all inflexible? 

Daughter has just finished talking with Vodafone about the old number, Vodafone  have just said that I must ask for a working line takeover, which they will keep active so Sky can take it over, once Sky takes the number the service will automatically be cancelled by Vodafone. 

your sales dept said that only the "new "assigned number can be used? Are Vodafone taking me around in circles again?