[Shaun]

Originally Posted by scrotnig

That's correct.

Additionally, it will take BT an absolute eternity to get the number even listed on their database.

I ordered my ADSL on the number I ported over the day after it went live.

---------- Post added at 00:11 ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 23:57 ----------

Originally Posted by m419

No its not possible to port your number and use another service provider.

I beg to differ, 'cos I did.

You can only use BT when you port a number. If you change to another provider such as SKY, you'll just end up paying around the same rate as you are currently paying.

Are you talking about for the phone line? Generally (with the exception of Bulldog) they are the only company to go to!

And don't be mislead with the free internet offers by SKY,Orange and TalkTalk. The free internet offer is only available for 18 months

Not true - TT is free forever (as long as you take their call package) and Sky have made no mention of increasing the price in 18 months. As for Orange I think it's the same as Sky.

You could ask Telewest retentions to lower your internet price. I got Telewest to lower my 2MB internet to £13 from £17.99 and Telewest also gave me Talk anywhere 400 for £17 plus telephone line rental for £10.50 and Essential tv pack for £10. And i'm gonna make them lower it even more.

You could but it all depends if they will.

My story was that I left Ntl a good while ago. Ported my number to BT and then signed up with Bulldog on an IPStream (BT wholesale) product. Everything went on fine untill I wanted to LLU (buy the whole line from Bulldog), then and only then did I have to get a new number. Saying that it was the best thing as it mant I had two lines for when Bulldog started messing me about and I decided to change supplier.

In a nutshell - if you want to port and buy an ADSL service from a company that resells BT Wholesale products then you're onto a winner. If you want to use a company that uses their own equipment (LLU)* then you may have a problem. Only way to know will be to call them

Best bet is to take a look at:

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/checker2.php

As you may not even be able to get an LLU supplier - I can only get Sky and Bulldog in my area, Orange and TT aren't available.

Be Unlimited is not yet available in your area
Bulldog is available in your area
Carphone Warehouse will be available in your area, but the precise date is unknown
Easynet is available in your area
Edge is not yet available in your area
Homechoice is not yet available in your area
Node4 is available in your area
Pipex is not yet available in your area
Tiscali is not yet available in your area
Wanadoo is not yet available in your area
Zen is not yet available in your area

*Orange, Sky and TT all use LLU to my knowledge.