Ok here is an insteresting problem, a friend of mine just got an iPhone on thursday, for some unknown reason she didn't port her number across to optus at the time of purchase (call her stupid if you want), she now wants to transfer her original number and optus are telling her that she would have to cancel her contract and sign up for a new one...(obviously huge cost involved if that is the case) has anyone else had this problem, and if so is there a fix?

I believe what she has been told is correct.

I've encountered this in the past, a few years ago now, when i had a pre-paid number, i wanted to port over, and replace my post paid number with that pre paid number.

Vodafone wouldn't let me, saying i would yes first need to pay out the post paid contract, effectively cancel the account, and then sign up again doing a number port from the pre-paid.

It all sound very stupid, but it appears that the telco's systems don't have the ability to just replace a number on a existing account.

although, i do know someone who was getting stalked (harassing phone calls) they reported this to optus, who offered to change their number for them. This is effectively the same thing, although it does not involve a port....

Would this be the same with Hellstra?

I'm guessing so, I've had the same experience with both Optus and Voda.

Hellstra (as the name suggests) does nothing to help anyone out generally, so i doubt they would offer such a helpful service is other providers are not.

A few years back i was receiving a lot of unwanted calls from an ex, who would not stop. So i rang optus and they changed my number for me.

Otherwise, Optus cant actually port a number over to an existing contract

ok thanks guys...will have to see what happens...

Plan is to get a $2 vodafone sim card and 20 bucks...call the phone multiple times each day for 2 weeks then we will see if optus will port the number if we claim a stalker is calling... :P

Hate to kill the mood but...

this won't work. as myself and abure have stated, they will change your number for you, if you have a stalker, but they won't port another number to replace yours. this can only be done if you are not in contract....

But hey, you are welcome to try. I feel you probably won't be the first to of given it a go though.