Transfer Landline Issues

[H_Roberts]

1) Instructions say use *exact* landline provider information. No can do:

  a) PM's input box does not allow entering numbers for the street 😞

  b) PM's input box does not allow entering a town/city that isn't resident in the drop down 😞

2) Instructions suggest that applying for the transfer could kill my account with Bell.

  a)Yes I can stipulate not to change Internet/TV, so that hopefully holds, and no change is made,

     but I wouldn't want to find out after the fact, that it didn't, and my whole Bell Account was killed.

  b)I have two landlines with Bell. I only want one transferred. I do not want, the other affected, in

     any way! There is no stipulation (as per Internet/TV) to stipulate, no change to other landlines,

     and only transfer/drop, the single phone number requested.

   I can't afford to have something go wrong here, and the process seems iffy.

Any assurance that bad things won't happen to the rest of my Bell Account, if I apply

to have a single phone number transfer?

Thanks!

[H_Roberts]

@dabr  Much appreciated !

I must have been looking in all the wrong places for those answers. My

problem with searching (beside the fact that I don't find what I'm looking

for) is that I get involved in reading an endless number of unrelated posts

before I can break free, then wonder where the time went 🤔

[H_Roberts]

@softech 

               Interesting. Certainly a rock bottom economy approach. I'm still working on safely porting my number, off a landline. Currently it seems to be progressing (will report back how, if/when it has completed). My last resort, if I can't get it done through PM, is to go up tier, if temporarily, just to get it done (rather than down tier). In my current frame of mind, I'm wondering what could possibly be down tier from PM 😉

          If PM's actual service is reliable, I'll be exceedingly happy with the economy 🙂

[dabr]

@H_Roberts    For future reference, you can edit your posts anytime by clicking the down arrow top right of your post and select edit.  You can also, if on a desktop, quote another person's post (not always necessary) after hitting Reply and then clicking the 3 horizontal dots menu in the top part of response post which expands the menu option and then select the quote icon.

[softech]

@H_Roberts   

Sine you talked about home phone hub, not sure if this is something you will consider if the you just need a "home line" (of course, if you rather to have a cell line you can move around, then it is not something you need)

 get an ATA box, port the number into Freephoneline (a one time "unlock" fee)

Of course, a bit of work to setup the ATA box, and Freephoneline will not provide any support (they are trying to drag people into the paid Fongo model)

And also, Freephoneline/Fongo just had a wide outage for 3 or 5 days just 4 weeks ago

[H_Roberts]

Hi dust2dust,

Thank-you for accepting my apology. I had indeed, understood, and appreciated, your

comments. My fault, for making it appear, that I was reflecting on them.

[dust2dust]

Offense? I am far from being offended. I just wasn't sure you were catching my meanings. So I felt I should explain. I hope I haven't offended you with what might be blindingly obvious to you.

[H_Roberts]

Hello again dust2dust,

  My sincere apologies for the offense taken. My intention was to direct only the first

few lines to you (light banter in recognition of your previous post to me).

  I do not know how to, or if it is possible to edit my posts, so I will express the

intention of that post here

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To dust2dust,

> I would be pretty sure... something like the SmartHub in ON

If by "something like that" you mean equally unavailable (to my area) you are absolutely correct 😁

(But then my area isn't even eligible, to get on the 'Starlink' waiting list.)

To OTHERs considering dropping a landline,  some observations:

Dust2dust was correct there are similar Internet Hubs available in Ontario, (not serving my area).

etc

etc

etc

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again my apology for the lapse in etiquette. In future I will see if I can reply to myself,

should I wish to include background information, not intended for the previous poster.

[dust2dust]

I'm not talking about getting the services from those providers. I'm talking about having the device and putting the Public sim in it.

These were the two devices I had:

mf279
wf721

The first was used for the SmartHub service. Put the Public sim in it and connect a corded phone to it (or a corded base) and you use the talk part of this service. It will also work with the data part of this service making another home wifi for the amount of data on your plan. There's a remote possibility that it can receive texts as it has an sms page on its admin pages. I don't recall trying it.

The second was used for the wireless home phone (WHP) service. Put the Public sim in it and connect a corded phone to it (or a corded base) and you use the talk part of this service. 

I know I still have the latter and maybe the former around but not being used anymore.

If you're good with whatever solution you have going then great. This place no longer has US calling in a base plan by the way (reviewing your posts) but they do have calling add-ons.

[H_Roberts]

Hi dust2dust,

> I would be pretty sure... something like the SmartHub in ON

If by "something like that" you mean equally unavailable (to my area) you are absolutely correct 😊

(But then my area isn't even eligible, to get on the 'Starlink' waiting list.)

You are correct there are similar Internet Hubs available in Ontario, (not serving my area).

And whereas I had thought that the Telus SmartHub plans had been a TV/Internet bundle, I

checked back and it was Internet only, so not spectacularly better value. Beware that these

Internet Hub plans are being advertised at misleading prices. Count on paying almost double

the advertised price, after the first year in Ontario, and an increase of $20/mo for Telus SmartHub.

In any case I'm no longer envious.

As for Home Phone Hubs, I checked and see that both Virgin and

Koodo offer $20/mo plans (Virgin says $5.00/mo first 12mo)(ulimited

Canada)  plus $130/$135 for the hub, which is less than when I last

checked and way way less than what I was paying Bell/Primus for the

landline equivalent service.

I've been using the  Cordless-Handsets/Cell Phone/PM, combo for

awhile now, and, so far, very happy with the choice.

[dust2dust]

I used to have both services. I would be pretty sure Bell offered something like the SmartHub in ON. But I'm in BC.

You can buy the devices. Both work for talk. The SmartHub also does data so that you can use the data that you're paying for in that $25 plan which was its original intent.

[H_Roberts]

@dust2dust 

I could be mistaken, but I believe you are referencing two different animals:

1)SmartHub

      - Rural Internet "TELUS 5G and LTE Network"

      -  Very high speed, very high volume

          - - "500 GB Monthly data" "Up to 100 Mbps download speed"

      - Currently only available in select communities in the 3 Western Provinces

      - IOW like 'Cable' without a cable

If anyone knows of this kind of service, that is offered in Ontario, I would sure like

to know!

2)'Wireless Home Phone'

   - Widely available wireless/cellular, not-wireless/mains-powered, not too smart,

     large package, home telephone. It's portable between locations, but access

     to power required.

  - Speed/Data, same as available for your 'Smart cell phone'.

  - IOW  a Landline replacement, equivalent to a 'Smart cell phone', but not.

By "but not" I mean (by my evaluation some time ago)... not as Smart, not as

   versatile/convenient, less economical (plans offered by purveyors, were

   more expensive, but, would be the same, if as dust2dust suggests, you use

   a PM  sim). 

While using a 'Smart cell phone' seemed a better choice for me, conditions

   may have changed since? So others that happen to read  this, should

   check out  'Wireless Home Telephone' for themselves.

[dust2dust]

You can buy the device and then use the Public sim in it. I think Bell and Rogers have similar devices. If provider locking is a thing then get the Telus one.

[H_Roberts]

Thank-you @softech 

Appreciate the reassurance and background.

Thanks @dust2dust 

SmartHub is an interesting service. Currently however, cell phone seems to be the best

of little option for the area.

Many thanks, and Bravos to all, for your insights. I learned a lot in a short time.

Solution to @dabr  for pointing out, that being a 'Primary Line' would be an issue,

making it necessary/desirable, for me to approach Bell, first. Then bypass

PM's application form, if/when it proves problematic, by going to,

 https://www.publicmobile.ca/get-help  instead.

[dust2dust]

Wow. Is that like a real, old school, copper landline?

You could also get what Telus calls their SmartHub which would give you some wifi to use your 1gb that the $25 pays for. A little something beyond your main house internet service anyway. But no, still no sms. (although it might receive it to the box, you just wouldn't know it)

[softech]

@H_Roberts   

no worry, nothing wrong with transfer landline to cell.  Many people have done that

---

  - The landline it replaces, doesn't do '2FA (nor SMS)', not sure why

       I would be worried if the new setup doesn't either?

---

It is true that some system will not send 2FA to line transferred to mobile (ChatGPT is one of them).  Reason is that those system only does a simply lookup to confirm what kind of number it is.  What they do is only lookup the Area code and the next 3 digits, they lookup the original provider of the of the phone number.  When the see the original provider was from a landline (e.g Bell instead of Bell Mobility), they don't care if it is now ported to a mobile or not, they just simply treat it as a landline and not send the 2FA code over

Other than that little hiccup, mainly from system generated text , there is nothing wrong to do that.  So, go ahead  🙂

[H_Roberts]

Hi Meow,

> Are you SURE transferring land line number (REAL land line number !) is a good idea?

I'm pretty sure 😉

The number will be attached to cell phone that replaces a landline:

  - This cell phone will largely reside in a home.

  - It will be paired with a whole house cordless system.

  - The landline it replaces, doesn't do '2FA (nor SMS)', not sure why

       I would be worried if the new setup doesn't either?

  - The landline it replaces (Bell 'Home Phone Basic Package') costs

    $63.81 + approx $30.00 for Primus unlimited Canada. Over $90/mo

    (not including tax).

  - My PM plan is $25.00/mo (also not including tax) and gives me

    unlimited Canada + US.

  - 4 1/2 months of savings and the new cell phone and new whole house

    cordless (5 phone) system is paid for.

  - The landline number has been unchanged, for many decades.

    I can't even imagine, how many change of number notifications

    would be required, if I didn't keep it 😞

Am I missing something?

[softech]

@H_Roberts   there is the option "Internet and Television service", you can specific to keep the rest of the service there

And be safe, after you submitted the request, call Bell and tell them what you are doing and ask them to put a note there to keep your other line

[computergeek541]

---

@H_Roberts wrote:

Hi dust2dust,

Thank-you for illustrating the box I was referencing in my opening post:

>  2) Instructions suggest that applying for the transfer could kill my account with Bell.

---

If the landline number is the only service on the Bell account, porting out the phone number does in fact close the Bell account.

[H_Roberts]

Hi dust2dust,

Thank-you for illustrating the box I was referencing in my opening post:

>  2) Instructions suggest that applying for the transfer could kill my account with Bell.

[computergeek541]

---

@Meow wrote:

Are you SURE transferring land line number (REAL land line number !) is a good idea?

Some companies will Not send 2FA (nor SMS) to 'real' land line number even though that number is now attached to mobile device.

Look at this example:

---

There are no additional restrictions for transferring a landline number to Public Mobile.  The text message sent by wireless carriers is sent by the carrier that the numberr originates from.  Bell Canada knows not to send a text message to landline, nor does this make a difference.  It's also up to Bell Canada to approve such a landline number transfer, regardless.

[Meow]

Are you SURE transferring land line number (REAL land line number !) is a good idea?

Some companies will Not send 2FA (nor SMS) to 'real' land line number even though that number is now attached to mobile device.

Look at this example:

This is REAL Land line number (Bell wires)

And this is Real Mobile number (only through air)

[dust2dust]

[dabr · Accepted solution]

@H_Roberts    If you're wanting to transfer your primary line from Bell, then you should first talk with customer support there and ask them if it's possible to transfer that line without it affecting your secondary line that you plan on keeping with Bell.   They might be willing to help with a workaround since you plan on remaining as their customer for internet services as well, I'm guessing?

[softech]

@H_Roberts as @computergeek541 corrected my message earlier, the address field could be important for land line porting, I guess it is best to  get a temporary number first and open ticket with support for a manual porting help, as advised by @hairbag1 

[H_Roberts]

Thanks again dabr,

> The number you first had with Bell would be your primary number...

Naturally , because that's the one I need to port 🙂

> Here's a link to chatbot if needed:  https://www.publicmobile.ca/get-help

Thank-you. Needed, I'm entirely new to this.

[H_Roberts]

Yikes! I can't believe how fast you guys respond on this forum. Many Thanks To All.

Thanks computergeek541,

> When porting from a landline, address is extremely important as it is part

> of the porting authorization check...

OK, so I guess that isn't resolved and may be unresolved-able, since PM's application dialogue, won't cooperate 😞

What I had been hoping to hear, was that:

    1)The PM application would work (despite it not accepting my address).

    2)That PM could do no worse than snag a single number per application.

    3)And better, that the current provider (Bell) would contact me for affirmation

       before  doing anything. At which time I could confirm that, I just wanted to

      drop one number/line (and nothing else). I was hoping that the

      fore-warnings of  'up to 7 days'  accounted for Bell seeking confirmation.

Oh Well...

[dabr]

@H_Roberts   The number you first had with Bell would be your primary number and then you could have added a second line to account which could be ported out first leaving the primary number/account intact.

edit:  BTW, I see @computergeek mentions that the address is important for transferring landlines, so you'll want to confirm everything first. 

You might want to submit a ticket to customer support via chatbot and ask for assistance before you attempt any transfer and clarify all the details around transferring only one number too.  Here's a link to chatbot if needed:  https://www.publicmobile.ca/get-help

[H_Roberts]

Thanks dabr,

> make sure to not transfer the primary number to PM as that could lose the

> secondary number if they're on the same account

That's what has me worried (my situation described, in my reply to esjliv )

[H_Roberts]

> But you said you have two bell accounts/numbers?

  I have: 1 Bell account number

              1 Bell customer number

              1 Billing address

         Which includes:

                  1 'TV Service'

                  1 'Home Phone' which is composed of two landlines (in different locations)

                     a)Number xxx-xxx-xxxx     (home location)

                     b)Number yyy-yyy-yyyy     (office location)

> Just make sure you port the number AND correct account number when you port to public mobile.

  I'll be sure the port the correct number, the concern would be if the single account was closed 😞

> Check to see if your number can be ported from this Koodo website...

I did and reply was "Yes, this number is eligible to move to Koodo Mobile."

So I shouldn't  have an issue there.

[computergeek541]

---

@softech wrote:

@H_Roberts address field is not important for PM.  Just enter as much as you can.  Important thing for your porting is enter the correct phone number and the account number if it asks you 

---

@softech 

When porting from a landline, address is extemely important as it is part of the porting authorization check.  I'm also uncertain that account number is even asked for on the porting form when requesting a port from a landline.