Moving address: landline number to mobile?

[COSIC]

Hi,

I have been researching my options both here and elsewhere, but have yet to find a solution that is ticking the boxes.

I am potentially moving premises in the next few months and my business landline might need to move to a new BT exchange. I am aware that I can take their new exchange number and use my current number on VOIP, but only if I subscribe to a broadband account which I am not intending to do for reasons below.

Is there a way for me to NOT have any landline contract and then port my number to a mobile or to VOIP without owning my own broadband account? (For example, my card payment machine will be no trouble over ANY wifi service and I do not need to have my own broadband for that).

I am aware of VOIP as an option, but looking at Voipfone it appears that I would need my own broadband and phone account for this to work (rather than me using the inclusive wifi that may be included as part of my office rental).

In an ideal world, I would like my business landline number to go to my mobile as I currently divert more often than not and arguably I don't use the BT line as anything other than on diversion. That is an ideal world of course.

Any advice would be greatly received!

MJ

 

[Paul_Rosser]

There are lots of providers who will set you up a phone number which will then forward to your mobile, I doubt BT will let you port your current number over to one of these services though.

BT may offer you a forward on the number to your mobile for a price though.

 

[Talay]

Some of the mobile providers, Orange and Vodafone for sure, have landlines on mobiles. No redirection, just a landline number on your mobile.

Of course, behind the scenes, there may well be some shenanigans going on but that doesn't concern you.

The product didn't stack up for me but I would review their offerings in the future.

The benefit of doing it that way of course would be an extra internet source, as a back up.

 

[webgeek]

If the landline number hasn't been previously ported, then BT is required to port it to whatever provider you choose.

This is the time most people would port to VOIP or Virgin/other.

 

[Paul_Rosser]

If the landline number hasn't been previously ported, then BT is required to port it to whatever provider you choose.

This is the time most people would port to VOIP or Virgin/other.

Handy to know, thanks

 

[Talay]

If the landline number hasn't been previously ported, then BT is required to port it to whatever provider you choose.

This is the time most people would port to VOIP or Virgin/other.

This would presumably require the accepting provider to allow incoming numbers of course. In addition, it would be advisable to check whether you could leave and take that number with you if you so choose.

 

[webgeek]

Yep, you need to have a porting plan before taking the leap.

A number of posts from sipgate users saying how easy it was to port before moving, so sipgate could manage the divert and cease.

 

[cjd]

If you just need to divert a call to your existing landline number to another number - such as your mobile - you don't need an internet connection to do it, even if you use a VoIP service.

That's because the call routing is all being done by the telecom company's switch in the network and doesn't use your broadband connection to do it at all.
(I should say that this is how we do it - others may have different methods.)

You need some access to the internet to set up the connection the first time you use it and if you ever need to change it, but that's all.

You can port a BT number to any decent company, it's pretty easy. Here's how we do it:

http://www.voipfone.co.uk/PB_Porting_Numbers.php

Once you've ported to a VoIP company you can use it as a diverted service forever, or you can add a VoIP phone and start making outgoing calls too - then add whatever else you like as you develop - extensions, call queues etc

Here's info on call forwarding:
http://www.voipfone.co.uk/Call_Forwarding_And_Divert.php

 

[simonclark123]

Hi

As Talay says, you can port your landline number to either Vodafone or Orange and calls can then go straight to your mobile.

I am both a Vodafone and Orange dealer, so am happy to discuss further should you wish.

Best Regards,

Simon Clark at Business Telecoms dot com.

 

[angrystone]

I'm not sure about the porting of your current number, but a good way to have a number that you can move around is tollfreeforwarding.com.

 

[Jet Virtual]

This is exactly why virtual numbers are becoming so popular..

 

[COSIC]

An update to my original post in case others search for the same topic as I have had a successful resolution.

I took on board all of the advice and did further research. Eventually I settled upon Vodafone One Net Express for business.

The plan costs about £29 plus VAT, I ported my mobile number simply enough as well as my BT work landline. I had some concern over the landline porting having read of some that were unsuccessful, but the impression I have is that if it is BT, it's a pretty standard process. I had no penalty on my BT account as my contract had run out and was rolling from that point.

The Vodafone account involves unlimited business texts and minutes, 1GB data (I have wifi on site at new premises anyway) and a "landline", which is effectively a diversion number. In my case I just ported my existing one.

Thanks to all and hopefully this might be an option for others.