Leaving Sky mid-contract for VM Broadband as port landline to Plexatalk

CompoundExcess

Hello, I'm looking to switch phone and broadband, and it's a bit complicated, so I want to check I have everything in proper order.

• Currently with Sky for phone and broadband (max 30Mb), I have until April 1st (8 business days) to cancel without penalty
• Will switch to Virgin Media broadband (max 1Gb+)
• Will port landline number to Plexatalk VOIP

My main concern is that I lose the landline number by doing something awry. I am also unsure if I will be forced to pay a penalty to Sky if I initiate a switch without first cancelling? My thinking is that 8 business days may not be enough to switch, so I first need to cancel the contract but also make sure the landline service isn't cut until the switch date?

Am I correct in thinking that I should, in order:

1. Inform Sky that I wish to cancel the contract and be moved to non-contract rate
2. Organize the switch to Virgin Media
3. Arrange the landline port to Plexatalk for the same day as the broadband switch

It looks right to me, but I want to check just in case there is some issue I'm not seeing. Thanks for any input!

QrizB

Will Virgin need to install their own cable into your property, or does that already exist?

Will it cause you a problem if there's a gap in your internet service?

CompoundExcess

I've just had a look and we do have a cable, but it's old and appears to be coaxial (actually Telewest era). Presumably the fibre can just be pulled through the existing conduit.

A short gap in internet would be acceptable, my main concern is loss of the landline number.

JSmithy45AD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6660535/leaving-sky-mid-contract-for-vm-broadband-as-port-landline-to-plexatalk

If you tell Sky to cancel the contract that will lose the number (I've no knowledge of this Plexatalk company though).

Would it not be better to use the OTS service and transfer the whole thing to Virgin and then port out the number? I'm not sure how Virgin would react to this though?

flaneurs_lobster

Since the landline (and the number) are of obvious importance I'd be minded to get that ported to your VoIP operator in advance of any termination (or notice of termination) of the Sky broadband service.

Don't know how Sky handle a part-termination, but since you are leaving them anyway you don't really care.

MyRealNameToo

Landlines and mobiles are different beasts, I'm not convinced that a phone number being ported, rather than a phone line, would trigger a termination but instead could trigger a new number being assigned and a fee for doing so.

Speak to both your old and new provider and clarify. Certainly with Sky be crystal clear that you arent moving the phone line only removing the number from the line.

CompoundExcess

Porting the number first sounds right. I have been burnt by sales retention staff in the past so relying on them makes me nervous.

I'll have a look around online, and on the Sky forums, to see if anyone has asked about porting a number during a contract.

QrizB

I've just had a look and we do have a cable, but it's old and appears to be coaxial (actually Telewest era). Presumably the fibre can just be pulled through the existing conduit.

A short gap in internet would be acceptable, my main concern is loss of the landline number.

One option for you (there are other options) would be:

• Call Sky and see if it's even possible to "be moved to non-contract rate" (I've not heard of anyone doing this before)
• Call Virgin and get that installed and working with a new phone number
• Once Virgin is up and running, port your phone number out. This might automatically terminate your Sky service; if not, you can cancel then.

The downside to all this is that you'll be paying both Virgin and Sky for a period (a month or two), and you'll be paying Sky at their non-contract rate for that period. Depending on exactly what your early termination fee is, it might be cheaper to accept the April price increase and then pay the termination fee.

Ayr_Rage

Your plan sounds fraught with the danger of losing your landline number as the OTS does not cater for this situation.

If you are on VDSL with Sky then trying to port a number would likely result in cancellation of both landline and broadband.

Disregarding the "leave without penalty clause" due to the price rise, when will you be out of contract with Sky?

I think you may need to wait until that point until doing anything.

Then, get VM installed on a broadband only contract making sure your chosen VoiP provider is compatible with VM equipment.

Once that is up and running and running ask Sky to port your number to your chosen VoiP company which will trigger a cancellation of the Sky service on 31 days notice.

You'll have to take the overlapping period into your cost calculations.

I am sure others may have opinions but not many will have done that swap, I am sure @iniltous will have a few ideas.

iniltous

Sky have given you a window of opportunity to leave penalty free , you need to let them know in that window of your intention to move , you don’t have to leave instantly and you don’t say cease my service, but they will expect you to leave within a reasonable amount of time …after you give notice , contact your VoIP provider to begin the porting of your number , the timescale for this is obviously up-to them , but no reason it should take more than a few days to a week , them starting the porting process in effect shows Sky you have taken your contractual ‘right’ to leave , a consequence of porting the number is the cessation of the Sky broadband at the same time .

Your arrangement with Virgin doesn’t need to involve OTS , or Sky , in effect you ask to become a brand new customer, with whatever timescale Virgin need to connect you , your VoIP service needs a broadband service to access it , so you won’t know for sure it’s all worked out until you are connected to Virgin

Anecdotally Sky don’t seem the best when it comes to porting out numbers