Recycling Landline Number

[B_K]

Hi Virgin Media,

Had a question regarding our landline number, currently we have filled out an Export form for the landline. Now regarding this if within the time period of the contract ending if the landline number is not picked up by another provider is the number removed forever and if we were to cancel our landline today instead of waiting the rest of the days for the contract to end. Is the same number removed permanantely, or is it recycled to give to another customer or does it go to the directory of the previous owner e.g. BT

Thank You

[Steven_L · Accepted solution]

Hi B_K,

Welcome to the community and thanks for taking the time to post here on the forums.

Now regarding this if within the time period of the contract ending if the landline number is not picked up by another provider

Its always best to keep your landline active while waiting for the port to go ahead, however a port can be requested up to 30 days after the disconnection has gone through but this way you would be without a landline service.

Is the number removed forever and if we were to cancel our landline today instead of waiting the rest of the days for the contract to end.

This would depend on the owners of the number, if the number is a Virgin Media number it would be quarantined for 2 to 3 months and then would return to our pool of numbers to be assigned to a new customer. You would not be able to port the number out to another provider, if it goes passed the 30 days from the disconnection date, the number would not be able to be ported to a new provider.

If the number belongs to another provider, this process would be different, once your landline has been disconnected from your account, it would remain with Virgin Media for 2 weeks and then would return to the original owner of the number as you stated.

I hope this answers all of your questions 👍

Kind Regards,

Steven_L

[Roger_Gooner]

A cancelled number goes back into the numbering pool for offer to a new customer after a period which is typically between 60 and 90 days. If the number had been ported from BT to VM I believe it goes back to BT but only after a delay of 12 months. The number will remain in the BT numbering pool until it is claimed by another BT customer or it is released back into the general numbering pool. If the number is released back into the general numbering pool, it can be claimed by any telecommunications provider.