Phone number now considered "dead" by the network

[Jennyrob187]

Long story - got two payg sims from EE for my twins, moved over to Asda, many problems and confusion. Only one son has the use of his sim/number. When I phone the other it says you've dialled an incorrect number and I also looked  up the phone validation results and it states that the number is dead. Does anyone know if I can get this number back up and running. It may seem like al ot of hassle but they are easy numbers to remember and only one digit apart .  Have tried calling the EE helpline as they are the original operator but I can't get through. Gave up on Asda as they have been telling me they will have it rectified shortly since it stopped working in February. Any help would be much appreciated 

[bristolian]

No surprise that a budget MVNO is confused once a problem goes off-script. If the number has been ported-out, then it's no longer an EE number. The only scenario I can see you getting this back, is if Asda issued a PAC and you ported it back in.

You would need AsdaMobile to request disconnection of the number for it to be released, and then the process to request it allocated to you, is neither quick nor simple - and comes with no guarantees. Fairly sure it also only works on pay-monthly, not PAYG.