Any Way to Keep Original Connection While Porting Number to Another Network?

Ljebdra on 20/02/2021 - 11:31

I have a long life (12 month) pre-paid Woolies SIM that has 6 months to run.

My new location has very poor Telstra reception.

I would like to move my main number (currently on the Woolies SIM) to an Optus provider (so I can receive calls at home), but keep the Woolies SIM usable in my phone (dual SIM)

Everything I read says if I port out, the Woolies SIM will be dead? Thus losing me $60 😭

Is there a way to give the Woolies SIM another number and keep it alive?

The only other option I can think of is to redirect the Woolies SIM to the new throwaway Optus number. I guess that would work.

Mobile

Comments

  • Ughhh on 20/02/2021 - 11:39
    +1

    If your plan miraculously worked, what number will people dial to call your woolies sim?

    The plan/contract follows the phone number. If you move the number to a competitor, you're cancelling the contract.

  • pharkurnell on 20/02/2021 - 12:10

    You want 1 number across 2 companies ?

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 20/02/2021 - 12:16

    I've always felt the phone number should be independent of the plan.

    It makes the frustrating internet domain system which can cost 10s of dollar a year almost seem fair. I would rather pay $1 a year to keep a phone number and choose any "phone host" I want. Of course $1 is how it starts…

  • realfancyman on 20/02/2021 - 12:39

    You could possibly activate a new $2 Sim with a new number and ask them to swap the numbers. No idea if Woolworths allow this, Telstra do.

  • Mechz on 20/02/2021 - 13:43

    SIMs are single use only. Your only hope is to transfer the credit to another account/number.

  • holdenmg on 20/02/2021 - 14:32

    Hi,

    Have you tried the Woolworths Sim in another Handset for Signal?

    Can you selectively forward (only calls from the Woolworths Sim) to a Skype Number, that way you won't miss calls because of coverage issues?

    Drop an Optus Sim in Slot #2.

    Then when Woolies is about to expire, port the Number to a Optus Sim.

  • Daabido on 20/02/2021 - 15:10

    My area also has pretty poor Telstra, but wi-fi calling through Boost is a help. I know that's not really an answer to your question.

  • jebdra on 20/02/2021 - 15:40

    Thanks for the answers everyone.

    I obviously didn't make it clear enough. I'm not trying to use the same number for two services. I don't want anybody to call the Woolies SIM. I want to use an Optus SIM with my number, but keep the Woolies SIM for emergencies when traveling to an area with poor Optus coverage (with its own number). I do a lot of caravanning, and have been using dual SIM for a while. The Woolies is ideal as a backup Telstra SIM as it is basically free (10% of monthly shop pays for the service). In fact, I make a profit most months.

    I foolishly ported my main number to Woolies when was in a good Telstra signal area. Now I'm not.

    Had I not ported my number to Woolies, they would have assigned me a number when I activated the 365 day SIM. What I want is my number back and they can assign any number they like. I've paid for a year of connection. I'd like to be able to use it. Just not on my number.

    Yes, I've tried the SIM in 2 other devices. All have poor to non-existent reception.

    Realfancyman - asking them to swap sounds ideal. I didn't know Telstra would do that. I'll ask.

    Thanks again for the suggestions everyone.

  • jebdra on 20/02/2021 - 15:45
    +1

    Daabido - yes, best way to go. Sadly Woolies doesn't offer wifi calling. I don't think any of the MVNO do except Boost.

    holdenmg - good thought - that's the only way I can see to do it. Redirect to the Optus SIM until Woolies expires, then port over. It's less than ideal, but would work.

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