Switching from combined FTTP/VOIP package to separate providers

Ceresdigion

I am with Onestream with combined FTTP and a VOIP package. I am at the end of my contract and considering taking a Virtual Landline or alternative provider as being significantly cheaper. Do I simply sign up with an alternative provider, or will doing so terminate my whole service with Onestream?

Say I want a Plusnet FTTP broadband (which does not provide VOIP), then would transferring to a different VOIP provider enable me to retain the same number despite splitting the current shared service I have with Onestream? Do I have to switch to the FTTP-only package initially, then hope my number is retained until I sign up with the VOIP provider, as with the 30-day dormant number system that kicked in when changing from ADSL and the PTSN landline?

As far as I'm aware, having ported the landline number over to digital when engaging Onestream, the two are separate despite currently being provided by the same company.

flaneurs_lobster

You should have a separate agreement for your VOIP service that will detail any charges for ending just that service - hopefully there are none as you are at end of minimum term. As you say, the VOIP service is an add-on to the broadband service and should be treated separately. 

Port your number to a new service successfully before you transfer your broadband service. Your new VOIP supplier should be able to handle the port with the details you give them. 

iniltous

It’s really upto Onestream how they regard your service , as one bundle broadband and phone or two discrete services, albeit the telephony can’t exist on its own , so by default ceasing or migration of broadband will remove telephony as it can’t be provided without broadband.
Your choice really is to port the number to the traditional VoIP supplier (one that doesn’t require that you use their broadband ) this action may cease your broadband if Onestream regard you as having one account , or Onestream  may want to continue supplying you with broadband after they relinquish the phone number .

Depending on Onestreams reaction to you porting the number , you either migrate your now standalone broadband to another provider (if remaining with Onestream is not wanted ) or if porting caused Onestream to advise they are to cease both your services , you sign up rather than migrate to a new broadband provider with potential a break in service (assuming the same underlying network is being used ) ….the alternative is migrate broadband to whoever you want to use , Onestream cease your service including telephony, but your number should remain available to port for 30 days after Onestream cease your services with them , so the VoIP provider can still import the number …this is more likely to keep your broadband working continuously.

Ceresdigion

Thank you. It seems it's not cut and dried! It is unclear with the VOIP providers I've been looking at over this weekend how I transfer a number from an existing VOIP service, as all the 'porting' options assume I'm applying to transfer from a normal landline.

The VOIP 'unlimited' is itemised on the Onestream bill, but as they were bought together as one contract I don't know if trying to transfer one would cancel the other.

Does the number then still remain available for the 30 days after service ceases, as it did when converting from ADSL to FTTP, even though it's not a geographical physical line any more? If that's the case it'll be easiest to do a One Touch Switch to a new supplier, and then apply for my old number with the VOIP provider when the new broadband is running.

flaneurs_lobster

Seems you are very keen not to lose that number.

I'd be talking to my chosen new VOIP service provider before any move to change broadband supplier.

They are the ones who are taking over the number and will be best placed to say exactly what they need to happen, when and how (and what it costs).

iniltous

It was an Ofcom requirement that providers they license keep numbers available to port for 30 days after cessation , so that should include Onestream .
Who is the range holder for the number you have , is it a Onestream number so from Onestreams own number range or has been ported between providers and its Onestream that currently supply it to you ….if (for example) it were a BT number originally  and at some point was ported to Onestream , it’s never been clear if the range holder is involved or not with subsequent porting requests , so basically if you used a third party VoIP supplier do they ask Onestream to port , or do they ask BT , even though BT were not the last provider responsible for the number , but that’s the new providers problem , not yours .

Ceresdigion

Thank you both. I guess I'll have to spend some time on hold and ring around for specifics from my suppliers.

I prefer a landline to a mobile, especially as we have poor signal and I don't often carry one around as I like not being always on-call. I think it's nice to have a central number rather than individual ones, particularly when calls are to the general household and there's an answerphone. I understand BT/EE 'Digital Voice' is a proprietary VOIP implementation that requires their own hardware. Onestream provided a router that our existing DECT base station just plugs into. The answerphone is on the base station, which I guess will keep working just the same whether there's a separate ATA between the router or not. Unless to the third party VOIP provider the answerphone picking up is registered differently from a person answering the call, as I understand some e-mail answerphone messages rather than having them on the 'phone to listen to.

The number's a local geographic one that was ported to Onestream when we moved from the copper to FTTP, so it's what everyone has in their address books, but is already 'virtual'. The 'porting' can refer to both transferring a VOIP number to a new supplier, and moving an obsolete copper line and associated number to a new FTTP installation then?

littleboo

As your new supplier, I'd suggest using A&A if you haven't looked at them, they are very knowledgeable.