who owns my mobile phone number?

allymck

The quick version of this story is.

I decided to take on a new contract with Vodafone via Phones4u.
And took away boxed handset. 14 days home approval.
I came on this site, found great info, shopped around, decided to cancel that new contract.

Went into Phones4u, in less than 14 days of agreeing to new contract, they said that my new account had "just been activated that day" and my mobile number had transported to Vodafone. I signed something, they said my contract was cancelled.

I phoned Vodafone, my contract with them is not cancelled and they said I cannot have my mobile number back. The only way i can have it and use it again is to keep contract with them and i can change down to a cheaper price plan.

I dont want to be with Vodafone. I want my mobile number back, I've used it for 8 years.

Can Vodafone do this? Who owns my mobile phone number?

Its very unfair to give someone 14 days home approval and they lose out during that time. I wasnt told about that at the time of purchase.

What rights do i have to get my mobile number back?

everythingblogcast

If vodafone did not own the number then demand it back off them or you will take legal action.

allymck

Hi,

thanks for your prompt reply.

I originally got my mobile number from o2, back in 1999, it was Pay as You Go. (unless Vodafone somehow "owned" the number before this time)

In 2005 i got a contract with 3 network and transfered that number over.

I am now today switched to Vodafone which i want to cancel.

I'm wondering if my mobile number has somehow been "sold" onto Vodafone and they now own it.
I dont want to have to offer to buy it back from them.

They told me to phone their customer services department again tomorrow.

I dont want to be a pushy customer but i think i am entitled to have my number back. I changed my mind about the contract and i did cancel within 14 days. I shouldnt lose out on anything.

I contacted Phones4u at the weekend to cancel but they said they couldnt do anything as it was an English bank holiday and their Head Office was closed. They should have advised me to phone Vodafone in the meantime to stop the number transferring over (if that was possible).

I didnt think of it myself at the time, i thought it would confuse matters if i contacted Vodafone or my current 3 network myself, so i said i'd wait til Tuesday morning to phone Phones4u back, which i did.

So many people have my mobile number and its an easy one to remember, even my elderly relatives have memorised it. I would hate to lose it.

I will phone Vodafone Customer Services tomorrow and i'll update this posting. Thanks.

redux

I think they should give you another PAC to transfer yourself out, or maybe switch yourself temporarily to Vodafone payt, but why are they having problems?

Though they can't intervene in the dispute yet, I'd have a chat with Ofcom to find out what the procedures should be

Doublespresso

vodadrew1 wrote: »

Hello

Just to clarify, if you have ported in to us and wish to cancel within the trial period, then you can request that we supply a PAC (Port Authorisation Code) so that you can port your number out again, providing that Phones 4U confirm the cancellation.

If you need any further assistance please visit our Contact Us form. If you insert FIT135 into the body of the message this will route it to the correct team. It will also help us if you include the URL of this thread.

Kind regards

Andrew
Customer Services
Vodafone Limited

Wow! Big Brother is watching this forum :search:

allymck

Thank you all for your replies.

Vodafone returned my call tonight at 7 pm when i had just gone out. They left a voice message on my landline phone.

It said that they have received confirmation from Phones4u that i returned the phone and SIM.
But my account is still active. And i am liable for line rental until i use the following PAC code to transfer my number to another mobile phone company.


It looks like they expect me to pay £45 (monthly line rental) for nothing.
I have not made or received a phone call or text.
I have received no services from Vodafone.

I returned the phone, SIM and paperwork within 14 days home approval and told staff to cancel my Vodafone contract before it even starts.
This is very unfair. Being charged for nothing.

I am not paying £45 for the luxury of having my phone number back.

I will phone them tomorrow during my lunch break. I will update here. Thank you.

allymck

After many phone calls to both companies and 2 visits into Phones4U - the contract i never used was cancelled a few days ago. And i wont be charged any line rental.

I am now browsing other deals on the internet.

Thanks again for your replies.

The end.

marysmith_3

everythingblogcast wrote: »

If vodafone did not own the number then demand it back off them or you will take legal action.

agree, call them.

gekktel

Shoddy treatment by Vodaphone, and they almost got away with it. How many didn't?

allymck

Yesterday i took out a mobile contract with Orange. The phone came today.

But i have trouble getting a signal. I phonde customer service 13 times, got through for various lengths of time and cut off 11 times. Only 2 calls lasted.

I have made texts but they've not gone through right away and had to be re-sent.

Maybe i just dont have good Orange signal in my area. I was last with '3' network which was fine, and then 6 years before that with 02, from this same house.

It never occured to me i would have trouble getting a signal. I'm in a housing estate, not in a rural cottage miles away from civilisation.

Should i cancel this now? or put up with it more than 1 day to see if it improves?

After the hassle i had cancelling with Phones4u, i'm reluctant to cancel anything ever again. I dont know if Orange would give me a new PAC code or if i would use the one i just gave them from Vodafone, it expires on 28th Sept and i dont want to lose my original mobile number.

I dont know what to do.