Migrating a phone number BT to Zen

We have a BT line and a Zen line, we want the BT number to go to Zen and cancel the BT line.

In the past I've done this with Sipgate, they did all the work. Zen are saying we have to cancel the BT line and have the number released. They they'll go and get it from the 'pot'.

What could possibly go wrong....

It doesn't sound right and Zen's website confirms we have a fair chance of losing the number https://www.zen.co.uk/resources/docs/default-source/...

Are we asking the wrong question or are they misunderstanding?

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

We have a BT line and a Zen line, we want the BT number to go to Zen and cancel the BT line.

In the past I've done this with Sipgate, they did all the work. Zen are saying we have to cancel the BT line and have the number released. They they'll go and get it from the 'pot'.

I would not cancel my line and hope Zen could get my telephone number from the 'pot', if it was easy to get the number from the 'pot' everyone would be doing it.

Edit: the number would also go back into the BT 'pot' so how exactly are Zen claiming they could get a BT number from the BT 'pot'?

Edited by deleted (Thu 07-Apr-22 16:00:23)

In reply to a post by dect:

I would not cancel my line and hope Zen could get my telephone number from the 'pot', if it was easy to get the number from the 'pot' everyone would be doing it.

My exact thoughts!

Zen says:

we also have a renumber order to bring the number ending in xxxx to your new service. however when I have tried to place this renumber order in our suppliers system it is giving the error that it is not available for reservation.

Please can you advise if you have asked your current provider to cancel and release the number? If not, please can you ask them to do?

This will allow the number to go into the pot where all suppliers have a chance to take the number so there is a risk it could be taken.

She says "renumber", I thought we wanted to port or migrate. True, the BT number will be used to renumber the Zen line (and we lose the Zen number).

Crossed lines?!

I think there is a misunderstanding.

The way I've read it, you currently have 2 lines, one BT line and one with Zen. You want to move the BT number to your Zen line.

Zen can't grab your number because it is in use (by your BT line). Zen can only renumber your Zen line if the new number is available (in the "pot"), which it isn't unless you cancel your BT line.

I think you need to get Zen to take over your BT line, then cancel your existing Zen line.

In reply to a post by sheephouse:

I think you need to get Zen to take over your BT line, then cancel your existing Zen line.

Yes. But it's more complex...

The lines are at different premisses. The Zen line need to be kept and the BT one cancelled. So we need Zen to - somehow - port the BT number and then the BT line gets cancelled.

Why don't you move the BT number to Sipgate, then you can keep the Zen number as well as the BT number at the location where the Zen line is.

In reply to a post by dect:

Why don't you move the BT number to Sipgate, then you can keep the Zen number as well as the BT number at the location where the Zen line is.

Why didn't they do this three years ago when I suggested it?!

The other complexity is the BT number is on a PBX and I think linked with three lines. I think that make it hard for Sipgate to port. We only want the main number anyway. The plan is to keep the known public number for incoming calls (on the FTTC line) while getting a different (better!) number ported to VoIP to become the 'new' public advertised line.

Gets more complex every time I type.

I'm hoping I don't have to say "I told you so" when they lose their (well know) number after ignoring my previous advice to do this beforehand.

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

BT number is on a PBX and I think linked with three lines.

So are they stroke lines e.g. /1 , /2 and /3 with the same number and is the broadband on the first line?

In reply to a post by dect:

In reply to a post by Woolwich:

BT number is on a PBX and I think linked with three lines.

So are they stroke lines e.g. /1 , /2 and /3 with the same number and is the broadband on the first line?

I really don't know the other numbers. They've only ever 'advertised' the one number. There's no broadband on this line or any BT line. Currently its on a (different) Zen line. We want that Zen number to go to VoIP and cease that line. But that's a different problem for another day!

So if you’ve only ever know the one number, there’s a good chance the others are, as Dect suggests, stroke lines.

Can you not get the required number put on permanent divert to wherever it’s required ? Then you’ll get the incoming calls to that number until such time as you feel happy it’s course has run.