Can I keep my number if I switch home phone provider?

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Our expert says...

Hi Lizzy, thanks for your enquiry about switching to the Primus Home Phone Saver deal.

The good news is that in most instances, when switching your home phone provider, you should be able to keep your existing phone number. But to be sure, you should first speak to your existing provider and then speak to your chosen new provider to clarify this.

You can contact BT on 0800 800 150, and Primus can be reached on 0800 036 3839.

There are a few instances when it may not be possible to keep your existing number. Read on to find out more…

Switching to or from a cable phone line

If you are switching to or from a cable phone service, it may not always be possible to keep your existing landline number. This is because BT’s phone lines and Virgin Media’s phone lines run on different networks.

BT (www.bt.com) says that if you want to keep your Virgin Media number when re-joining the BT network, you should notify them before placing your order to switch.

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) says that customers switching from a BT line to a cable line will “normally” be able to keep their existing number. Virgin Media adds: “If you'd like to do this, just fill in the ‘keeping your own number’ bit of the online order form. We’ll transfer your number when we install your services and this will close your BT account. You’ll receive a final bill from BT around a week after you switch your number to us.”

Phone numbers when moving house

If you’re moving home within your own telephone exchange area, it may be possible to take your existing number with you. There is not normally a charge for this service.

However, if your new house is in a new town in a different area, you will probably not be able to take your existing number with you. Once you know exactly when you’re leaving your old house and moving into your new home, notify both your existing and your new home phone supplier, so they can make the necessary arrangements to your services.

This should help answer your questions Lizzy, and for all other Primus switching questions, please read our Primus Saver sign-up FAQs.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@homephonechoices.co.uk

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