[CR CRUISER]

We just moved into our new to us condo from our old house that is less than 2KM. away. Part of the reason that I switched our cable to Optik and kept the Telus internet and phone was that I was promised that I could keep my old phone number that I've had for 24 years. Three days before installation, they called and stated that I would have to accept a new phone number, with a different prefix.

Of course I had already sent out 40 change of addresses with my old phone number on them. So, today while the tech was installing my internet and TV, he stated that there should be no reason for them to have to change phone numbers and suggested that I call the customer loyalty department at Telus. Once again they stated that I had to accept the new number.

Before I send out another 40 corrected address changes, is there any way to keep the old number?

Thanks

 

[dirtroad]

I thought that numbers were completely portable now. A few years ago, I cancelled my land line, but was able to keep the number by having a long distance calling card issued. A year later went back to land line with original number. That was in Manitoba with MTS.
Would another provider be able to allow you to keep your old number?

 

[CR CRUISER]

Shaw said that I couldn't keep the number if I went with their digital phone. That's the main reason I did the total package with Telus who said that I could keep it.

 

[cavu]

Shaw said that I couldn't keep the number if I went with their digital phone.

That sounds ridiculous. I have moved many phone numbers to Shaw digital with no difficulty whatsoever.

Ask for a supervisor and have them put their reasoning in writing to you.

Something is fishy.

From Shaw's web-site:

We do it all for you! Once you’ve registered for service, our Shaw technician will install everything and get it working … for free. We’ll even contact your current provider and let them know you’re with us now. At no extra cost, you can choose to keep your old phone number and phone sets or start fresh with a new number.​

 

[Dr.Dave]

Since both Telus and Shaw are telling you that you need a new phone number, it sounds like you are moving to a new community (even if it's just 2 km).

 

[hugh]

Consider moving to VoIP telephone service to keep your number.

 

[Costa]

Im with Hugh, that option rocks.

 

[57]

If you're moving to a community that has a different area code, then that may be the reason for their reluctance to let you keep the number - this can happen even if you just move across the street - to a different community. The other workarounds have already been discussed, but I would try escallating to second level before giving up.

 

[CR CRUISER]

The old number was (250) 923-**** which is a Willow Point prefix. The new condo is about 1 Km. north of where that 923 prefix ends and the Campbell River city prefixes begin but still in the same area code. I thought that a few years ago, I could pay a small surcharge to have an out of area phone number. Maybe that has changed.

Oh well.

 

[x katt x]

New neighbourhood, your NPA-NXX is not available in campbell river.

I don't think there is anything loyalty could do. Our systems would just say "this number cannot be ported" and theres no way to over ride.

 

[Boss]

this is normal. its out of any providers hands, shaw or telus. there is NOTHING that can be done.

its the exchange carrier wont allow it, and thats rulled by the CRTC. even though you are blocks away, your in a different exhange now and that exchange does not accept your old number.

 

[classicsat]

The phone company jargon might be "rate center", or possibly simply "exchange", meaning that fixed phone providers cannot port across them, at least easily.

Having your old number ported to VOIP or a call forwarding service might work.