Porting a digital voice land line number to a new provider

[Wichita]

I currently have a pay as you go digital voice/full fibre brodband package with EE and my contract ends on 16th November 2025.  When I tried to get a quote for broadband from Vodafone they asked if I wished to keep my current landline number, which I do.  A message then came back on their website stating that they are unable to port the number to Vodafone.  When I questioned why, I was  told that it was an OpenReach/EE issue and there was nothing they could do about it.  Has anyone encountered this issue?

[XRaySpeX]

It could be that Voda's BB & voice provider is not OR, e.g. CityFibre, & they can't port nos. between the 2.

[Wichita]

Thanks for your reply  XRaySpeX.  I checked with a colleague who has successfully moved to Vodafone from BT without any porting issues for their landline number, so I assume that it can be done.

[XRaySpeX]

Some of Voda's BB is provided by OR & some isn't. So it isn't a sufficient test as to whether someone else has moved from BT/EE to Voda but whether they have moved to the same Voda supplier as you are being offered.

[Mustrum]

@Wichita   have you told EE you are moving or cancelled your EE service?

City Fibre is just like OR, and supply the line not a service directly to customers.

Vodafone either have an issue picking up EE digital voice, or EE have put a block on the line.

Have you tried any other suppliers, Sky or Talk Talk also can use OR on City Fibre?

[JimM11]

@Wichita 

Vodafone unable to port landline number to them

Vodafone has faced challenges in successfully porting landline numbers to their customers. Users have reported issues such as incomplete or split ports, where the number is not fully transferred to Vodafone, leading to difficulties in receiving calls. Some customers have even experienced their landline numbers being 'not recognized' after a period of inactivity.
These issues have been attributed to a lack of communication between providers, technical difficulties, or problems with the porting agreements in place. Customers have expressed frustration with the process and have sought advice and assistance from Vodafone's customer service.
In some cases, customers have been advised to wait for Vodafone to resolve the issue or to consider transferring their number to an independent VOIP provider for added security. It is important for customers to keep their landline service active with their existing provider until the port has completed to ensure a smooth transition.

[Wichita]

@Mustrum,  I am only at the stage of trying to get a better deal before I cancel the EE contract, so no I haven't spoken to EE yet.  I haven't tried any other providers yet, as it looked like Vodafone had the ebst deal in my area. I thought it was now a legal requirement from Ofcom that numbers had to be able to be ported between providers?

[Mustrum]

@Wichita   you should not need to contact EE, your new supplier should sort that out for you.

You are correct re Ofcom, alas some companies still have issues.

HAve you considered moving your landline number to an independant VOIP provider? Much will depend on your requirements and so on.

[Wichita]

@Mustrum, Hadn't considered the independent VOIP option, that might be worth consideration.  I've had the landlinie number for 30 years and don't really want to change it. Any recommenndations for VOIP providers?

[Mustrum]

@Wichita   much will depend on your requirements and if you are OK following the setup instructions or if you want a plug and play solution.

Voiphone or A&A the latter being cheap once you are setup, but it is worth doing some research.

With Black Friday at the end of the month it may be worth waiting to see what bargains are available for broadband and landline.