Old phone number

[HolsMc]

Hi, I have just found my old phone it used to be on orange but transferred over to EE back in 2013 I was wondering if the number would still be active ? 

[XRaySpeX · Accepted solution]

Not on PAYG. They are completely deactivated after 9 months of non-use. You'll to get a new SIM to use that phone. 

[dswizz1]

Hi I have a follow up question about this:

You mention that this is not possible on PAYG, but what happens to old contract numbers in the same situation when the contract ends?

Thanks!

[XRaySpeX]

@dswizz1 : These mobile contracts don't just end, just the min. term expires. They are not fixed term contracts. After the min. term they just carry on at the same price on a rolling 30-days' notice basis until you explicitly cancel, upgrade or port your no. away. 

To end a contract you have to cancel it & once you stop paying for it, it's no longer your no.

[dswizz1]

Thanks for the response, appreciate it! I think more specifically I 'm trying to find out what happens to the phone number after the contract is terminated?

My old phone number from a few years ago is linked to a few 2 factor authentication things which i cannot get past any other way, is there any way to find out if the number is in use and claim  the number if its not in use? thanks again!

[XRaySpeX]

@dswizz1 : Relinquished nos. like yours go into quarantine for a few month before going into the pool of free nos. ready to be re-assigned. You can't specify a particular no. for a new contract.

[dswizz1]

Thanks again, I guess my ultimate question is–is there anything I can do, theres some super important stuff I need to get but the only way I can get to it is though this number?

Thanks

[XRaySpeX]

@dswizz1 : Only if these sites themselves allow you to change your contact no.

The moral is not to cancel a mobile no. when you have so much hanging on it.