Porting VOIP number

[jamster]

Hi,

I have several lines with a VOIP provider. They have increased the rates and I would like to move over.
Problem is, they say I cannot keep my number. Is this legal? Surely they have to allow you to move your number?

 

[werner]

can you not just keep them for inbound and send your outbound via another provider/trunk until this is resolved? that is what we do when moving someone "difficult" over...even from pstn. just bleed the existing telco dry of outbound funds...

 

[jamster]

can you not just keep them for inbound and send your outbound via another provider/trunk until this is resolved? that is what we do when moving someone "difficult" over...even from pstn. just bleed the existing telco dry of outbound funds...

I could do this, but one of the major reasons I want to move is the monthly charge this particular service provider has implemented per line. They call it a support fee, but I never agreed to it when I started it. I have about 20 clients who are all similarly frustrated.

 

[werner]

Although I may not be able to help, we charge as follows
1) monthly fee per number...we buy the number and pay yearly in advance so effectively extend the cust. credit. markup around 10%. Each number comes with 10 channels (incoming lines). if e.g. you want 20 channels then the cost doubles, simple as. clear and easy to understand. no inbound call charges/connection fee/per minute etc...just the number.

Unfortunately, I am in the UK, but if you want to pm me I can see if I can move the numbers if needed

 

[jamster]

Although I may not be able to help, we charge as follows
1) monthly fee per number...we buy the number and pay yearly in advance so effectively extend the cust. credit. markup around 10%. Each number comes with 10 channels (incoming lines). if e.g. you want 20 channels then the cost doubles, simple as. clear and easy to understand. no inbound call charges/connection fee/per minute etc...just the number.

Unfortunately, I am in the UK, but if you want to pm me I can see if I can move the numbers if needed

My issue with the charge is mainly the fact that other companies don't appear to be charging such a high amount, but more importantly that we did not agree to it. When we signed up there was no charge, now all of a sudden we get klapped with a charge of R160 a month.

 

[werner]

should be about £3/month/number...R35 or thereabouts..

just checked upstream form me, currently unable to port from existing s.a. numbers due to licensing issue, but I am able to supply new S.A. numbers..

 

[gmza]

Ability to port will depend on the numbers and whether the network provider is contracted into the CRDB.
If the numbers are 087, they are not portable. If they are geographic (01, 02, 03, 04, 05) and issued by Telkom, Neotel, ECN, Switch Telecom, Vox Telecom, Internet Solutions, M-Web or WBS, then they can be ported. Keep in mind that even if your VoIP provider is not one of the above, if they are reselling or acquiring numbers through one of the above, then you can still port away from them.
Please go to https://www.porting.co.za/PublicWebsite/ and enter your number to see who the current network provider is. If it says "Unable to obtain owner of number" than it is not portable. If it tells you who the provider is, then it is portable. Switch Telecom (www.switchtel.co.za) will be able to port it for you.

 

[XConnect]

Agree with GMZA. In addition, there is an operator code of conduct which states that customers must be given the correct information on costs upfront. Some (not all) have agreed to this. Is it possible to specify the service provider and prefereably the first six digits of the number after the zero?

 

[XConnect]

Ability to port will depend on the numbers and whether the network provider is contracted into the CRDB.
If the numbers are 087, they are not portable. If they are geographic (01, 02, 03, 04, 05) and issued by Telkom, Neotel, ECN, Switch Telecom, Vox Telecom, Internet Solutions, M-Web or WBS, then they can be ported.

Just for updated record: XConnect can also port numbers (via the Multisource access)