Are BT right when they tell me that my phone number cannot be moved to another exchange on the same STD?

Question

I have a reasonably memorable phone number on one exchange in a particular STD area. I am shortly to move to another road in the same town, which BT tells me is not on the same exchange; they say that even though both roads have the same STD, they cannot transfer my subscriber number to the new line.

Now, I have heard a rumour that it IS possible for BT to do this if they choose to - but that because it involves engineer intervention, they tell customers it can't happen. Is this rumour true? Should I push BT to change their mind?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I, too, am moving just a mile away and have been told the same thing.

I am absolutely certain it is physically possible because when I was at University of Northumbria the campus I attended was in Carlisle but it still had a Northumnbria STD code. However, I suspect they would want to charge you huge amounts and you are probably better off accepting the situation.

I spent 45 mins on the phone to them yesterday to tell them about my move, and that was without pushing to keep my number. Have you really got the energy to spend arguing?

All the best with it anyway!

Answer 2

Wrong you can change to another subscriber and take your number too....

Answer 3

Hi,

Alas they are correct, you can only move numbers not only if the std code remains the same but you also need to be served by the same cluster (part) of the exchange. Covering and STD code could be over 20 exchanges and 100's of clusters at each exchange.

You do have an option however and it's not an expensive private wire (and these are expensive) but you can ask BT for RCF (Remote Call Forwarding). It's about £20.00 per month from an old memory, however YOU will pay for calls moving from your old number to your new now. Now this is a bit of an unknown figure for you, but as you are staying in the local area these calls will not be too expensive.

Not the answer you wanted but its and option for you.

Answer 4

You can only keep the same number if the cables serving your old and new addresses both come up through the floor of the same exchange.

You could rent a private circuit between the two exchanges involved. However, I have only ever heard of taxi firms doing this, because of the very high cost involved.

Answer 5

I am a BT engineer of course you can take your existing number with you within the same std area. The problem is it is slightly more work and if possible advisors try to talk you out of it. It is possible stick to your guns and trust me they will do it. Also make sure you are talking to UK advisors this is purely because they have up to the minute information. Sometimes overseas advisors info is outdated. Its to long to explain why but in short YES you can take your number