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Given the nature of their business, All Seasons Marquees primarily relied on mobile phones to stay connected while travelling and working on-site. Several years ago, they decided to adopt a virtual landline number through Vodafone’s One Net service. This number, linked to a designated mobile, was intended to give their business a local presence in the Ipswich area.
As time passed, they discovered that Vodafone’s mobile signal was not consistently reliable in the areas where they worked. In 2015, they moved their mobile service to EE in hopes of receiving better coverage. They also aimed to port their virtual landline number from Vodafone to EE, consolidating their telecom services with one provider. However, shortly after making the switch, they were informed that the virtual number could not be ported, leaving them with the inconvenience of managing accounts with both Vodafone and EE. Lacking the time or internal resources to pursue the matter, All Seasons Marquees faced the prospect of continuing this costly and inefficient setup.
To resolve this, they turned to Beyond Telecoms Consulting. The consultancy undertook a thorough investigation, reviewing all correspondence between All Seasons Marquees, Vodafone, and EE. They then set out to clarify why the virtual number couldn’t be ported, researching the technical and regulatory aspects surrounding virtual number portability.
The investigation revealed that the issue originated with All Seasons Marquees’ EE dealer, who had incorrectly advised them about the ability to port the virtual number. This opened up the possibility of ending the contract with EE without penalty due to the misinformation. Simultaneously, Beyond Telecoms Consulting probed Vodafone’s refusal to release the virtual number, questioning whether their actions were lawful.
Through further research, a crucial change in Vodafone’s policies was uncovered. Vodafone’s customer service team had initially informed the consultancy that the virtual number could not be ported as it was issued by Vodafone. However, it was discovered that Vodafone’s policy on virtual number portability had changed in early 2016. The revised policy permitted the porting of virtual numbers, even those originally issued by Vodafone, under specific conditions. This significant finding meant that All Seasons Marquees could now port their virtual number to EE without formal complaints or legal action, saving considerable time and expense.
Thanks to Beyond Telecoms Consulting’s persistence and industry knowledge, All Seasons Marquees was able to resolve their virtual number issue and consolidate their telecom services with one provider. This resolution allowed them to retain their virtual number, which had been an essential part of their business for several years and was displayed on their vehicles, promotional materials, and website.
Working with the consultancy not only spared All Seasons Marquees from navigating complex telecoms issues but also ensured that they could focus on their core business. The consultancy’s understanding of industry policies and regulations allowed them to challenge the practices of both Vodafone and EE effectively, securing a positive outcome.
Now free from the constraints of managing multiple telecom providers, All Seasons Marquees is well-positioned for future growth. David Everett at Beyond Telecoms Consulting has continued to provide ongoing support, enabling the business to concentrate on its goals.
“We have worked with David Everett at Beyond Telecoms since 2016, following a recommendation from a mutual business contact,” says Scott Gray, Owner of All Seasons Marquees. “He has been instrumental in resolving a significant issue with our mobile provider and has provided ongoing support ever since. We are grateful for his expertise and would not hesitate to recommend Beyond Telecoms Consulting to any business looking to reduce telecoms costs or improve their telecoms management.”
