Can i keep my land line phone number?

Question

I am trying to change from a Virgin Phone and broadband service to Sky TV, Phone and broadband. Everything is o.k but we need to have our BT line reconnected by a BT engineer which costs £124.99 (still OK because sky allows us to claim this back).

However the problem is that BT say that they cannot guarantee that we will keep our land line number until after we have had our line re-connected and paid for it. it is not possible for us to change our number as it would mean having to completely change over 50 services (i.e on-line stuff, banks e.c.t). And we do not want to pay £125 for nothing.

Firstly, will we be able to keep our number?

Secondly, if we can any pointers on how to transfer the number,

Thirdly, why can BT no guarantee this?

P.S thanks for all the help + we are not moving house or anything,

live in England

Answer 1

Hi. I was with Toucan phone and broadband and wanted to go to Sky phone, tv and broadband. We had to go back to BT which we did and kept our number. We were with BT for 1 month then I started the ball rolling with Sky. Are you sure you have to pay to return to BT? Check online deals. We were able to keep our number too, maybe they are just being picky cause they know you are going to go to Sky.  Offer to keep your line rental with them (BT that is) and that you will only pay Sky for the calls, maybe that will help. Good luck

Answer 2

Hi there,

I did the same last year.

BT allowed me to keep my number.

I never had any issue.

I would ask though, why change from Virgin, their broadband is the best in my view, as most BT lines will only offer you 3meg download, which is dependant on your distance from your local telephone exchange, the further your away the less you get.

This of course is my opinion, good luck.

Answer 3

When I was changing from Virgin to BT they said that I could keep my old Virgin no. so long as I wasn't moving to a different area code.  I don't think it should be a problem.  

It is so competitive between these companies nowadays, perhaps if you said you would only transfer to BT if they promised you could keep your old no. they could maybe give you a stronger guarantee.

Answer 4

My family have changed phone companies numerous times and weve always kept our bt number!

Bt might just be saying this to put you off leaving them!

If i was you id talk to sky as theyd b the ones taking the number over and will be more willing to tell you correct information!!

I really dont think you will have to change your number!!

Good luck!!!

Also you might have to get a sky phone line in for the broadband but will still be able to keep your landline number as your landline number lol

Answer 5

NO Virgin has its own exchanges and has to have blocks of numbers so its not possible to transfer number from Virgin to BT so you will need anew number.

thats why BT wont say because if the tell the truth you might decide to stay with Virgin.   BT cannot allocate a number until the order has been place and only from  numbers available to BT.