This is true and I've heard it before on the MSE forum (but can't find the thread).

The problem, I think, is related to the fact that believe it or not all incoming calls to your landline still go via your old cable operator (NTL/TW) first and then NTL/TW automatically route your calls to BT.  Outgoing calls aren't affected by number porting.

TalkTalk are free to set their own criteria for those wanting to join them and they have obviously chosen not to deal with anyone unless they're on BT and the number belongs to BT.

I'm not sure if there is any technical reason for this or just TT being funny/lazy.  I can forsee one of the reasons may have something to do with free TT to TT calls that TalkTalk do as these type of calls would actually cost TalkTalk money simply because anyone calling you (if you were on TalkTalk) would have the call routed to NTL/TW first which means that TalkTalk would have to pay for the call as it leaves their network.

If you really want TalkTalk despite the many problems people have reported and the many threads then only thing I can suggest is you have a new BT number.

I know this is annoying as we're also an ex-cable customer and would have the same problems if we wanted to go to TalkTalk but I personally wouldn't go near TalkTalk until they sort themselves out.

Sky Broadband is only available in certain areas (just like TalkTalk) so you have to register your interest with them and they'll let you know if you can use them.

I've not noticed any adverse problems relating to Sky broadband yet but they are still relatively new.

If you are going to use Sky then I think you can continue to keep your existing cable number without having to pay BT for a new BT number as I've not heard of SkyTalk and Sky broadband insisting you have to have a BT number but don't quote me on that!  Registering your interest for Sky broadband would probably tell you if you couldn't use them because you have a cable number.

As far as I'm aware its only TalkTalk that insist you have a BT number.

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But surely that would be a customer convenience, and a Telco Inconvenience....... and we all know where Ofcom's interest lies, don't we? 

Tanllan wrote on Sep 10^th, 2006 at 10:00pm:
I believe this whole issue over number portability with regards to TalkTalk is just how TalkTalk's system is setup to recognise telephone numbers entered. 

It appears that TalkTalk's computer system does an Oftel/Ofcom number allocation check which would then reveal that the number belongs to cable - even after you port numbers Oftel/Ofcom register still shows the number belongs to cable.

As you mention it all boils down to having a proper number portability system in operation but it was all the networks (except Orange) that rejected having a proper number portability where it was possible to know if someone has ported their number and which network it was ported to.  It was rejected because of the costs involved.

I discussed this in the Mobile rates for transferred (ported) numbers thread and specifically this thread.