Can i get a virtual number with EE

[FozzieBear]

Does EE offer the option to attach a virtual number to my account? In other words I would like to have a number I publish on our website which is not my real mobile number and can delete or block if I get spam calls. It's a bit like having a disposable email alias.

Also and I appreciate this is slightly different but alternatively are there any third party services which would allow a single published number to be routed between two different mobile phones? In this instance where an on-call role is shared between two people the ability for a single number to be routed to either of their real mobile numbers.

Many thanks

[Chris_B]

@FozzieBear  No that’s not possible as that number has to be associated with an account and that account has to be in your name.    There isn’t an infinite number of phone numbers so a temporary/disposable number isn’t possible. 

You can not have a number that could forward a caller to 2 separate other numbers. 

[bristolian]

You can block individual callers on your phone now, having a different number won't make any difference to that.

A pooled number that you can redirect to a mobile number, and/or a hunt group, are certainly services that a third party provider may offer.

[Mustrum]

@FozzieBear  Not something EE do, but just the kind of thing a VOIP provider can do. Have a look at https://www.sipgate.co.uk/prices-tariffs  as an example, other providers are available.

[EssexBoyEE]

Vodafone do a Service that's simular, or used to, I use to use it for my Business, where you have either a 0500, 0800 Freephone Number or a National  STD of your Area that will Instantly Diverted to your Mobile for Free for a small fixed Monthly Fee, good thing was it wasn't Network Locked, although Vodafone never told you this, it could be Diverted to any Network with an 07 Prefix, ie, an EE Mobile.

There were some other Free Disposible Numbers you could use 07XXX (they would expire if not used for 6 Months) but these are classified as  Personal Numbers or FollowMe Numbers, these were free to use for the Holder but had a hidden catch to them as although they were 07 Prefix Mobile look a like Numbers, they were chargablable Numbers to the Caller as they are not included within Mobile Networks Inclusive Minutes, so not something to use if you keen on your Customers.

As far as the ability to bar incoming Numbers, this is irelevent as the Final Leg in the Divert Process is your EE Number, so as @bristolian correctly points out this can be controlled by yourself on your own EE Account as that Barred Number will be ignored in the Final Leg of the Call Diversion. 

[bristolian]

Orange used to offer local number, Pocket Landline and another similar service whose name escapes me - but all since consigned to the history books.

And yes, the 070xx numbers which were rather expensive for incoming calls but did indeed give the recipient lots of flexibility

[FozzieBear]

Many thanks

[FozzieBear]

Many thanks. It's not so much blocking spam calls but people getting hold of your personal number and using that instead of using the official contact route. As others have said I think the VOIP service might be the answer.

[FozzieBear]

Many thanks. As I replied to @bristolian its not so much the spam calls but your private number getting out and being used as a shortcut rather than the preferred contact method

[FozzieBear]

Many thanks for the follow up information. I think a third party service like VOIP might be the answer. The number doesn't have to be a mobile number it could just be a virtual landline number. Some VOIP rely on an app on your phone which I don't want but perhaps there are other than will allow a divert to a mobile number. I need to start hitting the Contact Us links on their websites.