Transfering BT Landline Number To Virgin And Set Up - How Does It Work?

[IanS]

Hi

Concerned about losing BT landline in 2025. Had no idea until I caught something on TV recently.

I don't really use a mobile so rely on my landline. The BT line is essentially my phone number, and I would like/need to retain that number.

I didn't actually realise that you could switch phone numbers between providers.

At the moment I have the BT landline number which I want to retain and continue to use.

I also have TV/Broadband and a phone line with Virgin that I use for nothing more than calling Customer Services.

So I have been paying for two phone lines, one of which I haven't really been using. 

As all my other services are with Virgin it would make sense if I could switch the BT number and just have that one number.

I have telephoned Customer Services who advised tme o speak to BT which I have done, but they have referred me back to Virgin. I am posting on here in the hope of getting more clarity than through another telephone call.

My main Panasonic phone set with the BT landline is upstairs and plugged into a wall socket next to my desktop and internet connection. This works with a cordless phone and hub which is plugged into a mains socket downstairs. If possible I would like a similar set up when /if the number is transferred.

A second telephone is plugged into a wall socket downstairs with the Virgin number.

At the moment this is just an enquiry as to how the procedure would be set in motion, and then how the equipment would be set up.

Regards

Ian

[Daniel_Et]

Hi @IanS, thank you for your post.

In order to discuss this with you further, we'll send you a private message on here. Look out for the envelope in the top right-hand corner.

If you're on a portable device with a smaller screen, click on the icon in the top right-hand corner and select "messages" from the additional menu options.

Regards,
Daniel

[nodrogd]

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@IanS wrote:

Hi

Concerned about losing BT landline in 2025. Had no idea until I caught something on TV recently.

I don't really use a mobile so rely on my landline. The BT line is essentially my phone number, and I would like/need to retain that number.

I didn't actually realise that you could switch phone numbers between providers.

At the moment I have the BT landline number which I want to retain and continue to use.

In common with all providers, the current PSTN exchanges are being closed down in 2025. Nobody will “lose” their number as a result of this change. Any customer that is “phone only” will be provided with a “locked down” internet hub in order to continue using their landline phone.

I also have TV/Broadband and a phone line with Virgin that I use for nothing more than calling Customer Services.

So I have been paying for two phone lines, one of which I haven't really been using. 

As all my other services are with Virgin it would make sense if I could switch the BT number and just have that one number.

I have telephoned Customer Services who advised tme o speak to BT which I have done, but they have referred me back to Virgin. I am posting on here in the hope of getting more clarity than through another telephone call.

There is NO NEED to contact BT. Put in a request to Virgin to transfer the number, & they will give you an arranged date when your number will transfer. Your BT account will AUTOMATICALLY close on that date. Do not put a cancellation request to BT yourself, as this could put a disconnection marker on your line that will prevent the number port going through.

My main Panasonic phone set with the BT landline is upstairs and plugged into a wall socket next to my desktop and internet connection. This works with a cordless phone and hub which is plugged into a mains socket downstairs. If possible I would like a similar set up when /if the number is transferred.

A second telephone is plugged into a wall socket downstairs with the Virgin number.

At the moment this is just an enquiry as to how the procedure would be set in motion, and then how the equipment would be set up.

When your number transfers, your BT socket will go dead. Your number will transfer to the Virgin socket. At some point in the near future the TEL1 socket on your Virgin hub will be activated to carry the phone service as per the switchover already mentioned above. At that point you will need to link the hub socket to your existing phone wiring if you wish to continue using the Virgin socket downstairs.

Regards

Ian

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[IanS]

Many thanks for your response.

I am about as far removed from a technical bod as you can get so just to try and clarify.

Firstly, I am told that the BT landline number will just replace my existing Virgin number which is obviously what I want as I don't want to continue paying for two lines, one of which I barely use.

Turning to the set up. I want to continue using my Panasonic main phone set upstairs (because it is close to my computer and router) in conjunction with the cordless downstairs which sits in its charging point, and is just plugged into the mains with the television and tivo.

When the wall socket upstairs becomes redundant where do I plug the phone to continue to use my old number? Will the telephone downstairs automatically pick up the signal, or does that also need to plugged into something? Basically, I just want to continue as I am at the moment just swapping Virgin for BT and getting rid of the old Virgin number. 

I am a little concerned if this changeover goes ahead I might somehow end up losing both numbers.

Regards

Ian

[nodrogd]

As your current base station is next to your router all you have to do is unplug your base from the phone socket & plug it into the TEL1 socket on your VM router. No other action required.

[Roger_Gooner]

It's possible that the second phone will have to registered as the Panasonic base. It might be easier to swap the base units and phones.