People on 3 can't phone me on O2 - Going round in circles!

[dwarfer16]

A year ago I got a new phone with O2 and ported my number over from Three. However, for some reason 3 didn't accept the port but didn't tell me so then I had the same number active on both networks. The consequence of which was that anyone on 3 trying to phone me would go through to my 3 phone whereas anyone else would go through to my new phone. I had fun and games trying to sort it out. Eventually I got told that the number port hadn't gone through correctly an so I had to have the number ported again.

After a week without a phone, it was all sorted - or so I thought. Then about three months ago someone on 3 told me that they couldn't phone or text me. It just kept saying "The number does not exist". Whenever I phone O2 (it's actually through the Carphone Warehouse), they tell me that it's not their problem as it's at 3's end and so to phone them. But whenever I phone 3, they tell me that I need to phone O2!!! Just keep going in circles. Finally, O2 did someone else and told me to get a new SIM card from one of their shops, which to no surprise had a no effect. And now once again they are saying they can't do anymore, I need to phone 3!!!

If anyone has had a similar problem or if anyone has got any ideas about how to fix it I would appreciate it! Thanks.

-dwarfer

[Lee @ SCAN]

I'm in a similar quandry with a few of my friends who have moved from one mobile network to another and they've ported their numbers across.

I've spoken to my VoIP provider and they too are stumbled as to why this is occuring as in theory it shouldn't be an issue.

I've just noticed a common theme here - he was on O2 and then ported to Three and now back to O2 again after the honeymoon period was passed.

[Rave]

As I understand it, Three rent O2's 2G network so that their customers can connect where there's no 3G coverage. Something to do with that?

Having said that, I went from Three to O2 about 9 months ago and have never had a problem.

[Funkstar]

Rave is correct about 3 using O2 for non-3G traffc

[zarn]

Both 3 and O2 are subject to Ofcom's universal "end-to-end connectivity" obligation, and to number porting requirements. If you can't get 3 to take the problem seriously, try complaining to Ofcom - they take failed number ports very seriously, as it could be seen as reducing consumer choice. They have a consumer call centre you can contact.