VOiP number porting & LLU

Scenario: With full MPF transfer to an LLU operator, is the BT number retained automatically?
i.e. Openreach jumper the line across from BT Wholesale to the LLU operator (who gives their own free VoIp number), would the original BT number have to be dealt with separately by filling in the porting paperwork?
If the line went across first, would the number be "lost".

If you're porting the number across to a VOIP provider, BT won't have anything to "jumper" it to (the new number being a VOIP number).
You still need a "number", as you will still have a working phone line (even if calls are disabled), I guess that would be a new number (for your old line, as it gets transferred across to the LLU equipment), leaving your old number vacant for porting across to the VOIP service, but I don't think you'll be able to port it across if you no longer have ownership of the number.

All sounds far too complicated, and it will go wrong.

Out of interest, which LLU operator are you looking at (which provides a VOIP number, but doesn't give you access to the analogue voice line they use for the ADSL service)?

Whilst respecting your view that it is too complicated & will go wrong, I am still keen to pursue this idea further. It is healthy to have an opposing view.

Taking up your point about a new number for the old line, what are the weaknesses in this scenario:

1. Port the existing BT number (whilst line rental is still with BT) into VoIP (BUT - does 2. The existing BT line automatically (??) gets issued with a new number by Openreach
3. Forward incoming calls to the new ported VoIP number to the new (temporary) PSTN BT line.
4. Then do the Full MPF transfer to the LLUO. The newly issued number is irrelevant to the customer as no PSTN service will be offered by the CP � just VoIP
5. Remove call forwarding on the new ex-BT VoIP number (the customer's actual number they want to keep) i.e. configure it to their Centrex system.

I'm looking for the sequence with minimum disruption to the customer!

As far as I am aware, no LLUO does it this way yet. It�s just a scenario I am exploring for a niche LLUO & a CP looking at optional migration of a few hundred broadband customers they currently have on one exchange with an ISP (who in turn are using BT ADSL max). The CP is looking to improve broadband speeds using ADSL2+ equipment, but want to offer a package bundled with line rental & calls without giving customers access to competing CPs using the analogue voice line thereby ensuring they get calls revenue & LR revenue in exchange for free/faster broadband. It also avoids PSTN investment when the future seems to be VoIP.

1. In theory, this should be possible. I've only ever had virtual numbers (like the ones issued to other SPs) ported across.
2. One for Openreach engineers to comment on (there are quite a few that frequent these forums).
3. Should be possible - A good many VOIP providers will provide call divert (to any number) at little, or no cost.
4. Agreed - shouldn't be any issues there.
5. Probably the easiest step!

I can see the sticking point being 1 and/or 2.
Will BT allow a "real" landline number to be ported across to VOIP?
What will happen to a live line, when the number gets ported across? Does it go dead, or get issued with a new number?
What happens to the existing ADSL service (when the old number is ported across)?

I believe porting a number away from BT ceases the service on the line, unless it is a Callsign number which you can / have to port separately to the main line.

In reply to:

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The CP is looking to improve broadband speeds using ADSL2+ equipment, but want to offer a package bundled with line rental & calls without giving customers access to competing CPs using the analogue voice line thereby ensuring they get calls revenue & LR revenue in exchange for free/faster broadband. It also avoids PSTN investment when the future seems to be VoIP.

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Would the thing providing ADSL2+ not provide PSTN features via VoIP for little extra cost ?

I'll try to get clarification from Openreach to see if porting away can occur and a new number be left in place so the service continues (e.g. ADSL, analogue voice). A bit like asking if your number can be changed but keep the same line.

Gradwell allow the BT number to be ported, so I guess its possible. I've no idea what happens with the line when you do this though. They might be able to tell you though, if they have experience of doing it.

Dave

I have ported BT numbers and the lines auto-ceased. It took a bit of juggling the get the timing right.

If someone wanted to keep a number and keep a line with BT the only scenario I can envisage is to move the desired number to Callsign and renumber the line, then port the Callsign number.

Is this theoretical or a an upstart firm doing its research cheaply?

VoIP usually refers to voice over someones broadband connection, voice services as provided by a MSAN are normally not termed as VoIP even if the backhaul will be IP, since the consumer sees this as a PSTN service.

You need to be clearer are you simply referring to a MPF set-up just like Talk Talk use.

NOTE: If you are to become the sole voice provider for a line then you need to be sure of your commitments with respect to the 999 service.

Yes - Gradwell confirmed all services on that line would cease if you ported the number into VoIP first.