Virgin Media landline switch to digital voice phone and other options
With the increased use of mobile phone technology, the (old PSTN) landline phone dependency has to an increasing extent declined. However, there will be some like myself, that in addition to their mobile, may also want to keep their landline, for the time being anyway. Virgin Media are keen to switch their phone customers over to the new Digital Voice and do away with (switch off) the old landline technology, implementing the switch sooner than some other major phone service providers. I understand there are new rules coming in to place that will require landline phone service providers to make landline number porting increasingly easier (as it now has become with mobile numbers). With this in mind, I would like to ask some questions. I've separated them into three parts. Perhaps Virgin Media would also like to contribute and answer. As a virgin broadband and phone package customer and owner of my landline number, I just wondered what would happen if I now choose to have my phone number ported to a new digital voice (landline) phone service provider that has simpler, straight forward price structuring - separate broadband and phone options (not packaged or bundled together). 1. Will this mean that I am effectively ending my broadband and phone package service? Or.. 2. Will Virgin Media port my number to my new preferred service provider and require that I switch to another package - in my case broadband only, because I don't have TV (not included) and don't require it? 3. I am currently out of contract without the benefit of any discounts or offers. As a result, my bill is now a lot higher. So if I prefer to switch to a new landline phone service provider, possibly also ending my broadband service, will Virgin Media hold my landline number for upto 30 days after leaving, allowing plenty of time for porting to a new provider? Just wanted to explore my options now that this switch to digital voice is imminent. I hope the answers will be useful to anyone else wanting to keep their landline and number, and need to decide what is best for them.