Getting NBN Service (FTTN), Porting PSTN Number to VoIP

• 

  pjetson on 02/11/2017 - 20:37

  +1

  Once NBN is up and running, contact MNF and cancel ADSL service.

  You need to make absolutely sure that you can keep your MNF VOIP account when you cancel your ADSL service with them, and be certain that that's what they will actually do - it'd be very easy for them to press the wrong key and cancel everything.

  • 

    RockyRaccoon on 03/11/2017 - 06:56

    MNF Voip service IS portable, they were originally a VOIP only service, that has added Internet provioning services to their mix.

    I have MNF Voip and no other MNF service, with NBN, so OP's strategy from this perspective is sound.

    OP BTW once your PSTN is with VOIP then your have true portability with that number

    • 

      pjetson on 03/11/2017 - 09:14

      Hi, Rocky. Perhaps I didn't explain my concern clearly enough. Effectively, the OP has two services from the same company, and both most likely on the same account. I am just worried that both services may be cancelled instead of just one - maybe the company's system doesn't make splitting the existing services and then cancelling one as simple as cancelling both, and the OP may experience troubles unless he's very clear about what he wants, and the customer service people understand what he wants. Or, someone presses the wrong key.

      It can be terribly difficult to get something back once it's been deleted, even if it was by accident.

      • 

        RockyRaccoon on 03/11/2017 - 11:54

        I understand,. I guess I also wasnt clear. I also had MNF as a ADSL provider, then switched to NBN with MNF, then switched Internet from MNF and left the VOIP, so I really dont think its an issue, as MNF's systems have handled this difference ok in the past.

        As it will be VOIP the old PSTN number is extremely unlikely to be "lost" like in the old Telecom days when there were in some exchanges limited lines. (Meaning if you lost your line, you lost the number right away).

        They dont need to recycle the number right away, and as its "attached" to the internet, it can be reattached quickly, vs the PSTN issue, being you might have a "number" but no line for it to be attached to it.

        Eg with Voip, I would get calls while travelling OS if I had internet and a softphone on my laptop, so in essence its only the number not line and number that would be reassigned. Given we havent run out of "standard" numbers again unlikely to be lost.

• 

  ESEMCE on 03/11/2017 - 08:34

  +1

  My concern would be that your PSTN may be tied to your physical phone line..
  Once you move the number, then your PSTN line may be disconnected…

  I think it might be better to transfer everything to ABB and then port out the Number to MyNetfone once NBN is up and running.

  Call ABB, they're very helpful.

  • 

    pjetson on 03/11/2017 - 09:18

    I think it might be better to transfer everything to ABB and then port out the Number to MyNetfone once NBN is up and running.

    Sounds safer, but I'd be worried about multiple VOIP ports - some people say there is a limit on the number of times that a number can be ported, and when it's reached, you're either stuck with the last company, or you have to get a new number.

    I haven't done any research of my own on whether this is true, but I've seen a few people talking about it in various places.

    • 

      ESEMCE on 03/11/2017 - 11:02

      I doubt that's the case. ACCC might have something to say about a provider with-holding a number.
      But even in the worst case that it's true, you're stuck on ABB at $5/month to keep you incoming number and your outgoing calls appear to others as a different (or hidden) number.

  • 

    bantamdraper on 03/11/2017 - 15:01

    Hmm, I think that sounds like the safest option. Just trying to avoid any potential hiccups that other people seemed to have had. I'd never hear the end of it from my better half if we were stuck without phone service unexpectedly for a few days ( or longer).

• 

  pjetson on 03/11/2017 - 11:40

  ACCC might have something to say about a provider with-holding a number

  What I've read seems to be more the other way around - it's not that a provider will not allow the number to be ported out, but that other providers cannot or will not port the number in.

  • 

    RockyRaccoon on 03/11/2017 - 12:13

    +1

    I think you are adding undue concern here, based on the old issues under Telecom etc of many years ago, and again to do with limited ports in various exchanges.

    There is a TIO information peice on numbers that if you want to read, will give clearer guidelines on numbers.

    Unless someone voluntarily gives up the number then the number would come under the numbers-in- quarantine concept.

    https://www.tio.com.au/about-us/position-statements/use-of-n….

    Plus really why would a VOIP provider NOT accept a port in. Its businesss. Again since VOIP isnt tied to your physical location there is no physical restriction to a number port. If one VOIP provider stopped you from porting in you could use many others.

    VOIP sevices here In Australia like for instance, Maxotel, even can allocate you numbers for other countries.

    • 

      pjetson on 03/11/2017 - 16:46

      Why would a VOIP provider NOT accept a port in. Its business

      There are plenty of stories on Whirlpool of just that happening, though.

• 

  bantamdraper on 03/11/2017 - 15:16

  Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Much appreciated. After reading up on this stuff a bit more it sounds more and more like scubacoles' recommendation might be the best way to go to avoid any major dramas (port PSTN number over to ABB's VOIP plan, and then port the number over to MNF at a later date after everything is up and running)