Keeping existing landline number (switching from Sky)

[Kam2023]

I've seen a few people say they can/couldn't keep their existing Sky landline number when switching to NOW, can anyone confirm?

I'm thinking of making the move but I will need to keep my number.

[redchiz1]

Well, Ofcom regulations say you can. As long as you use the gaining provider led process. Which means that you do not cancel with Sky, but ask NOW to switch your number when ordering. They should then notify Sky that this is happening, resulting in a seamless transfer. That's the theory. The practice seems to vary, sadly. 

[gavs82008]

@Kam2023 

To follow up from @redchiz1 this link indicates the only reason you shouldn’t be able transfer is when your provider isn’t using the OpenReach network.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/switching-to-sky-broadband-t2

[redchiz1]

@gavs82008 That's for switching to Sky, rather than from.

[gavs82008]

@redchiz1 

Balls! So it is 🤦🏼‍♂️ 

@Kam2023 try this instead.

https://help.nowtv.com/article/how-do-i-switch-to-now-broadband

If you’re joining NOW Broadband from BT, EE, TalkTalk, Plusnet or any other non-cable provider, you won’t need to cancel with them or let them know you’re leaving - we’ll take care of everything. 

We’ll also make sure the switch goes smoothly, so you’re not without broadband for any period of time.

[Kam2023]

Thanks for all the responses.

I decided to risk it...I didn't get asked the question of whether I wanted to keep my existing number, it automatically said it would:

https://freeimage.host/i/HXEnErb

Fingers crossed the switchover goes smoothly.

[redchiz1]

OK, do keep us posted. You should receive confirmation of the number when the order goes through, but before it goes live. 

[Jayach]

@Kam2023

Do let us know how it goes, your experience so far seems to be totally different from the poster here:

Not allowed to keep phone number. - NOW Community (nowtv.com)

[Kam2023]

I did notice that post earlier which was one of the reasons I was concerned. 

My setup date is 27/03 so we've still got some time for them to cancel, I'll let you know either way.

I didn't cancel Sky Broadband as the advice online was to allow the new broadband provider to do that once when switching. When I signed up to NOW Broadband, I first received 2 emails from Sky confirming my cancellation would happen on 27/03. This was followed by an email from NOW confirming the order and setup date of 27/03.

[redchiz1]

Did your confirmation email not include your phone number? Perhaps things have changed since I ordered.

[Kam2023]

Sorry, yeah it does. The 'NOW phone number' is my existing landline number with Sky. I wasn't sure if the poster in the linked post might have got the same email so thinking there is still a chance for it to be cancelled.

[redchiz1]

Well if it is your existing phone number then all would appear to be good.  🙂

[redchiz1]

Within minutes when I signed up I got an email confirming the go live date along with the account number and phone number, which was the one being switched. 

[Kam2023]

The switchover finally happened, here are a few notes:

I received letters in the post confirming that broadband would switch on 27/03 however the other letter said SkyTalk would end on 12/03. I assumed that was an error as I thought they would need to switch both at the same time. However looking at my NOW bill, they began tracking/charging calls on 12/03 so it must have switched then. This was a totally smooth process, I didn't even notice 🙂 We've still got our existing Sky landline number and calls are working as normal.

I switched the hubs on 27/03 in the evening, Sky was still working when I made the change. I checked the Sky speed before disconnecting using Ookla, it was 50.9 Mbps download and 15.8 Mbps upload. Once the NOW hub was setup, I did a test and got 40.7 Mbps download and 2.42 Mbps upload. We already had a Netgear router (which my brother had set up a few years back) so I had also linked those up. Initially, the connection was a little iffy, when streaming it would freeze here and there. I then split the wifi-bands to see if it would help. Since then I've checked the speed using Ookla, I've had:

26/03/2023 - 50.9 / 15.8 (with Sky Broadband)
27/03/2023 - 40.7 / 2.42
27/03/2023 - 33.9 / 13.9
28/03/2023 - 49.0 / 15.4
29/03/2023 - 35.8 / 14.8
02/04/2023 - 40.0 / 15.4

It seems to fluctuate a little bit as you can see but it's all working fine for me now. Besides that first day of having issues with the streaming, I've not had any other issues since. I've got streaming setup to connect to Netgear (the signal is better than the NOW router) and my laptop/PC connects directly to NOW. Everything seems to be working as it was with Sky, I know the speed above is slower but I've not really noticed any difference. I'm glad I made the switch, I'm paying less than I was before plus I got the cashback from Quidco.

[gavs82008]

@Kam2023 

Give it ten days as the line will have tests etc done to it.

https://help.nowtv.com/article/why-does-my-broadband-speed-vary-in-the-first-ten-days

[Jayach]

@Kam2023 

Thanks for confirming your phone number transferred from Sky O.K., it seems strange that some people have trouble with it. I think it may be to do with if you had been transferred to digital voice whilst on Sky.

Are those speed test all over Wi-Fi? If so could you try a wired connection.