Selling my landline number

SunnySeatonSaver

I am currently with ntl and i still have have my previous bt landline number of over 25 years..I think it might be worth around £1000 to sell to a local business, maybe a Taxi firm. Is this my number to sell? how would i go about selling it ? and how would i get a replacement number ? any thoughts ?

Browntoa

got the Feeling BT retain the right to it I'm afraid, you just rent it

(Land_of)_Maz

SSS - why did you PM me?

Should i know you?

topherxp

The simple answer is you don't own the number, so you can't sell it!!!

BT Openreach own that number, just as NTL own the telephone numbers they supply their customers who don't transfer a number from another provider. So regardless of how long you have had that number and if your now with NTL, BT still own the number.

If your NTL line closes for any reason, the number will be given back to BT (even if the you get the line with NTL reconnected straight away), who will then be able to allocate it to someone else.

Buzby

Afraid BT Openreach doesn't own the number either. (It belongs to OFCOM). That said, any number will have a value to someone, and there is nothing illegal about allowing someone to have the number by you relinquishing it to them... which is exactly what happens with personalised registration numbers for vehicles.

You have to be clear you are selling your interest in the number - and will arrange for the number to be transferred to the new user, this should be done by first transferring the service to the new address (which may involve a charge) and then transferring the service to the business. This ensures the number isn't 'lost' in the process as it still will be allocated to you.

DO ensure you get a part payment first, as if the buyer reneges later, it'll be almost impossible to enforce payment later without going to the courts (you cannot reclaim the number from them).

Jemma-T

The government has made it clear they own all numbers (yes even the one you're thinking about). This was cleared up a few years ago after BT were trying to say they owned all numbers and even hyperlinks on the Internet and Intranet. Yeah, right, BT.

About 10 years ago my aunt sold her phone number when moving to another code. She asked around and everyone said exactly what the taxi company said: Keep it quiet and ask them to pay up front then move it either as a new line (private) or business. I'm sure she got £900 or something and the guy actually came to the house with the cash upfront.

I think nowadays you'd need to be a bit more careful with contracts as everything is digital (over the phone) so make sure you know what you're agreeing to with BT when you move the number (and account of course). If unsure or you like to worry -avoid at all costs.

topherxp

I was wrong to use the word 'OWN'.

Telephone numbers are administered by OFCOM and telecoms company apply for a particular number range (for example: 0 1452 86**** is a Gloucester allocated by BT where as 0 1452 55**** is a Gloucester number allocated by Telewest)

So in affect, it is as good as owning the number, so if a number is ported when transferring to another company and the line is stopped the number will be sent back to the communications provider who operates that number range.