Do I own my landline phone number?

Peter_777

I wouldlike  tosecure my  phone number  since  I  have  had  it  for some time. Do I own it?

User Buzby said in  2013: "OFCOM own the numbers (it is a 'resource') and the networks pay fees for the number blocks they request and use. The consumer is able to transfer their use of an allocated number to a different vendor (network) and providing they pay for ongoing services using that line number, they will retain exclusive use of it.

Is this  still true?

JenB79

Not sure about other transfer options but you can usually transfer a bt wholesale issued landline number to a voip provider such as Sipgate for a one time fee (typically £20+ )which stays with you wherever you go. But a word of warning: migrating any landline number may cease any attached broadband service. 

Brie

MiL was with BT and they wouldn't let her keep her number when she moved 5 miles away.  It's possible she could have kept it if you moved to a different supplier or within a smaller area.   when I questioned this with BT at the time they seemed completely surprised that she might want the same number still. 

littleboo

The number needs to reside with an operator or it will be returned the the original telco who will quarantine it and then make it available for re-use

ItsComingRome

Brie said:

MiL was with BT and they wouldn't let her keep her number when she moved 5 miles away.  It's possible she could have kept it if you moved to a different supplier or within a smaller area.   when I questioned this with BT at the time they seemed completely surprised that she might want the same number still. 

If she moved to a different exchange area this would not be possible.

A VoIP provider might have been able to do it, but not a regular landline supplier.

iniltous

You don’t own the number , it’s part of a range of numbers allocated to your provider by Ofcom , if you move provider ( not move address ) its usually possible to port the number to the new provider, if the new provider offers number  port and handles the port correctly.
If you move home there is no guarantee you can take the number with you , and you certainly cannot keep the number if you don’t pay someone for it ( even if that’s by porting to a VOIP provider and paying them )
It’s not clear what you are asking, but the simple answer is ‘No’ , you do not own your landline number….and although Ofcom allocate number ranges , it is the responsibility of the number range holder , even when it’s ported to another provider , the original number range holder is still effectively the ‘owner’ , they just arrange incoming calls to it to be routed appropriately , and if not ‘in use’  ( because it’s neither ported or in use with the range holder ) it is simply an un-allocated ( spare ) number , ready to be reused should the range holder want to do that.

Neil_Jones

Peter_777 said:

I wouldlike  tosecure my  phone number  since  I  have  had  it  for some time. Do I own it?

User Buzby said in  2013: "OFCOM own the numbers (it is a 'resource') and the networks pay fees for the number blocks they request and use. The consumer is able to transfer their use of an allocated number to a different vendor (network) and providing they pay for ongoing services using that line number, they will retain exclusive use of it.

Is this  still true?

You do not own a number.  If you've had it since you were knee high to a grasshopper that's nice, but doesn't entitle you to keep it.

If you move provider usually you can transfer it.  But if you move to, for example, a residence with an 0121 number from a house with an 0161 number you can't take that, assuming traditional landline.

A VOIP/portable number you just change the destination number.