Landline porting from TalkTalk to Vodafone

[sanpat]

Hi all, I moved by landline + broadband from TalkTalk to Vodafone. When I signed up with Vodafone online, the system said my landline could not be ported. Then I spoke to Vodafone and after checking my existing number they said it could be ported. I was instructed to signup with Vodafone and select the option for a new landline number, and then I was asked to call Vodafone on the day of activation to get the old number ported over.
I did contact Vodafone on the day of activation (21st October 2022) and they (easy switch department) said they would definitely port over my old landline number and that it could take a few days. 4 days later (25th October 2022) the old number was still not ported. I called back on 25th October and was told (again by the easy switch department) it will take longer but that it was definitely possible. I explained to the Vodafone representative that I need the number ported as I am expecting an important hospital appointment call. They said they would in the meantime arrange for calls to that old number to be temporarily diverted to the current landline number issued to me. They also told me the landline number is currently in the "quarantine" period. A few days later (27th October) nothing has changed and no temporary call divert has been arranged.

This is really really frustrating. I cannot lose my old landline number and it's vital I retain it.

It seems line every time I call Vodafone they just say it will take a few days longer.

I really need some help. What can I do to resolve this?

Why 

[MillerJones]

Sorry to say this but I expect you wont be getting that number you was poorly advised from the start and this appears to be a common issues with Voda.

[sanpat]

Looks like you are right.

They are telling me the number is no longer 'active' and they cannot retrieve it.

They said Sky owns the number (i was previously sky a few years ago) and that I have to contact Sky and ask them to activate it so Vodafone can retrieve it. I queried this several times as surely Vodafone should be able to do this instead of me, but the Vodafone advisor kept telling me they cannot request this from Sky and that I have to do it.

Called Sky, they said they don't own any numbers and that Openreach own them.

I desperately need to get that number back. Any ideas on what I can do now?

[Amanda]

Hey there @sanpat - I understand it's important to be able to keep your number. 

It is true that we're only able to port active numbers and if a number is disconnected without being transferred, it usually does revert back to whoever the original provider was. 

We'll need to take a closer look at what's happened with it, to see what options are available for you - please pop my team a message via social media. If you include a link back to your post here, then we'll be able to read your thread and you won't need to explain things again.