If someone moves to a different country what happens to their phone line?

Question

If someone moved to London from California, what would happen to their house number? Would it still ring if I called? Or would the number be disconnected or given to someone else?

Answer 1

It is standard procedure to place a disconnect order with the phone company when moving.  The new residents will wish to establish service in their own name, with a new number; they don't need to be bothered by occasional calls from your friends who haven't gotten the word.

Answer 2

well, most the time when you move you have the services cut off, if for whatever reason you didn't stop your service the phone company would when you stopped paying your bill.  Either way eventually the phone would be shut off and then the number recycled.  Land line numbers seem to take longer to give back out however than cell phone numbers.