Can I get a really old mobile number back?

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Can I get a really old mobile number back?

Plug

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#290680 27-Nov-2021 13:53

I was a Vodafone customer when they were called BellSouth. I had a 6-digit contract number (021 4xx xxx) until I left NZ in 2007; I have a vague memory I might have transferred it to prepaid for a year after that but it has obviously long since lapsed.

I'm back in NZ now, and would like to know if it's possible to reclaim and re-enable this number? Has anyone had any experience doing such - I doubt the regular process will help me here.

(It looks like @JasonParis might be a good person to tag)

Linux

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#2820251 27-Nov-2021 14:05

@Plug Have you called the number to check if it is in use? If not then go into a VodafoneNZ store and request it on account it can not be activated on Prepay

Once on Account you can payment flex the number to Prepay if you wish

Easy as pie you don't need Jason for help on this

Plug

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2820253 27-Nov-2021 14:10

I'm sitting in MIQ; I haven't done anything yet 😄

I have a friend in exactly the same situation, and he told me he couldn't get his number back when he returned; "being away for 10 years it got purged".

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#2820254 27-Nov-2021 14:12

As long as the number is not in use it should be very easy as explained above

First call the number

When numbers are deactivated they are not purged it does not work like that

nztim

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#2820266 27-Nov-2021 16:30

Off topic @plug

Hello Craig! its been like 30 something years since Melville Intermediate school days!

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

MichaelC

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One NZ

#2824160 4-Dec-2021 11:35

I'd definitely go with @Linux advice - if there hasn't been a top-up in 360/365 days, you will lose any remaining balance and the number will go back into the "number pool" to be used by someone else. If the number hasn't been taken, you should be able to get your number back with no issues :)

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timbosan

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Uber Geek

#2824167 4-Dec-2021 12:01

Hi,

One important issue that's missing in the replies - if the number has been ported then it may not be with Voda any more.

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#2824169 4-Dec-2021 12:22

A ported number is handed back to the home network when deactivated

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Plug

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Wannabe Geek

#2854691 21-Jan-2022 15:55

Update: it worked! The person in the store was able to see my record from the past, and although they had to call and check, was able to sign me up again with my old number.

Tim, hi! Of all the memories I could share, I'll choose to go with 'two mouse two player Lemmings on the Amiga 500'.

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2854725 21-Jan-2022 17:45

@Plug:

Update: it worked! The person in the store was able to see my record from the past, and although they had to call and check, was able to sign me up again with my old number.

Tim, hi! Of all the memories I could share, I'll choose to go with 'two mouse two player Lemmings on the Amiga 500'.

Cryptic...