Transferring land line number to VOIP whilst retaining FTTC broadband contract

lohr500

Hoping any VOIP experts may be able to help, as Plusnet Customer Services are not able to give an answer.
I want to port my landline number across to a VOIP telephony provider, whilst retaining my landline based broadband service from Plusnet, but I don't know if this is possible. Effectively the landline would need a new number assigning to it which would remain associated with the Plusnet account. Does anyone know if this is possible and have you done it?
Thanks

Dave_T_UK

If plusnet Customer Service can't help, then i would try asking the VOIP provider if/how you can go about it

lohr500

Hi Dave, I should have mentioned it in my original post, but they said to discuss with Plusnet as they can't manage the existing Plusnet a/c . I'll try again with Plusnet.

unforeseen

Normally broadband is tied to a telephone number so you will probably get it cancelled if you move the number its tied to.

It's got nothing to do with the VOIP company it's what plusnet do when the telephone number gets transferred.

Of course you are also assuming that there is a spare number to take its place. 

Owain_Moneysaver

You can if Plusnet will let you. By default, porting the number but continuing the contract will be treated as a cease-and-reprovide by Openreach / BT Wholesale, so you may face contract termination fees. 

lohr500

Thanks for the info Owain.

slyeseterjorge

It is important to be aware that not all VoIP providers are suitable for making calls to UK Emergency Services ( e.g. local 

phone) and that if you switch to VoIP, the stability of your line is likely to depend on access to a power supply.

iniltous

You could ask Plusnet to renumber your line ( this is not done for  free, so expect a charge ) this will free up your old number, but how the VOIP provider requests that number , when it isn’t associated with an account anymore seems to be a question for the VOIP provider.
Alternatively,  you ask the VoIP provider to port the number , this may unfortunately risk a cease on the broadband as you cannot have broadband without an associated phone number.
TBH, I would have thought it’s the VOIP provider , given that it’s them that are gaining something , that should know the processes and how to arrange what you want.

lohr500

Thanks for the more recent replies. 
To provide an update, I did instruct the VOIP provider to request a port in of my existing number from Plusnet, knowing that this would also terminate my broadband contract with Plusnet.
I had been trialling a new WISP (wireless Internet Service Provider) for about three weeks whilst retaining the landline. After three weeks I was happy that their service was reliable. It consistently delivers around 55mbps download and 25mbs upload on a sub 20ms ping, which is much better than the Plusnet service. There are no plans currently for Openreach to roll out FTTP in our area and the max speed we could get over the copper wires was 30mbps on a good day.
We use our mobiles all the time for making calls as all the family are on unlimited call packages. I only wanted to keep the landline for people who call us and don't use our mobile numbers. (My parents in particular!!!)
I only had 6 weeks of contract left with Plusnet so the early termination charges weren't too bad.
The VOIP provider charged a one off fee of £19 to port in the number, plus £0.75 per month to host the old landline number.
I'm using localphone as the VOIP provider and if we do need to make the occasional call, their call charges are a lot less than the Plusnet rates. International calls are loads cheaper as well.
I realise we cant dial emergency numbers through VOIP, but as we have four mobiles in the house, I'm not too concerned about that. There are some neat features with VOIP as well, in that I have free email messaging to my mobile if voicemails have been left, including a recording of the message that I can listen to. If I wanted, I could run the VOIP app on my phone and receive calls directly, but we get so few calls on the old landline number that it isn't worth messing with!!   

BigBlueSky

Just trying to find information on porting on the Localphone website but struggling.  I can see the £0.90 per month fee, but no mention of porting numbers in.
Would you mind pointing me in the right direction please ?
Thanks

lohr500

Hi BigBlueSky, I emailed this request to lnp@localphone.com :

I am considering moving away from a landline based broadband service, using VOIP for my telephony as part of the change. Would I be able to port my UK landline number across to localphone and if so, what would the cost be please? The number is 01535 xxxxxx

 Thanks,

And received this reply :
Thank you for your email.
The number can be ported in to Localphone and there will be a porting fee of £19.00 with 2-3 weeks lead time. If you would like to proceed, please fill the attached LOA and return along with the most recent invoice from your current provider.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Localphone LNP

Hope this helps.