BT Change Number

lsjhoa

Hi All,

I need some advice. My flatmate is moving out and I rang up BT to transfer the bill to my name. They told me that I would have to start a new contract with them, which I thought fair enough.

But now they have told me that they have to change the existing telephone number, which is a real pain cos my broadband is on this line. I contacted my broadband provider and they told me that if the number changes I would have to pay to reactivate the line as it works on a Caller Line Identification system.

Does anyone know if I can ask BT to keep the same number? They told me that Openreach will probably not give me the same number.

Any ideas guys?

lsjhoa.

telephone_man

The number should be able to be retained in your name but you may have to wait until the line stops before placing an order in your name.

BT cannot request the same number if the line is still current with another customer due to the fact that they do not know if the customer wishes to take thatnumber with them.

JohalaReewi

What you have to do is get your flatmate to put in a request to BT to close the account. BT need 14 days notice so make sure your flatmate does this in plenty of time. Having done that, you can ring up BT and ask to take the line and number over in your name. Subject to credit searches etc. BT will set up a brand new account for you and link your flatmate's cease and your provide.

On the day, your flatmate's BT line will cease at noon and less than a minute later, your BT line will fire up with the same phone number as before.

Your existing broadband will be zapped because of this so you need to contact your ISP to tell them what is going and ask if they can work round this so you keep your broadband after the name swap.

Also, any extras your flatmate had on the BT line (eg CPS, Caller display, friends & family, premium rate blocks, etc.) will also be zapped so you will need to set them up again in your name.

lsjhoa

My flatmate has already contacted BT and told them the date of when she is leaving, and I believe that they are aware of that.

I have rung them this morning and they credit checked me (which cost me £25) and they said to me that they account will be ready on the day that my flatmate leaves. However, they told me that Openreach now deal with their telephone numbers and I would have to request the old number with them.

Is this correct? I mean, I'm still planning to live at the same address yet I have to ask for the old number?...

normanmark

No you shouldnt be liasing with openreach, they only talk to Communications providers not general members of the public

JohalaReewi

Have you tried talking to the BT moving house team? I have just done what you are trying to do and it went through no problem. Did your flatmate cancel the line via the moving house team? You can get them via 0800 800 150 and selecting the moving house option.

JohalaReewi

lsjhoa wrote: »

... Is this correct? I mean, I'm still planning to live at the same address yet I have to ask for the old number?...

Yes. The old number 'belongs' to your flatmate's BT account, not your address so your flatmate could move out and take the phone number as well. So BT need to know your flatmate is moving out and not taking the number. Your flatmate should have told them this when cancelling their account. Normally, new accounts get a new number, even at the same address.