How do I manipulate a large number of moving platforms?

How to avoid switching land-line business phone number when moving ?

• I have used my business phone number for over 7 years and it is on every piece of marketing I have given to my clients over the past 7 years. I am moving offices from Encino (Los Angeles) to Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) which is 15 miles or so away. However, based on my discussion with our phone person, since we are moving from one call center to the next, I can not keep the number. I can forward the number indefinitely but I will have to pay for two or three paths to make sure that when one person calls and I am on the line with him/her, the second caller doesn't hear a busy signal. I don't want to pay 2-3 paths, which will cost me as much as a phone line. How do I get around this arcane restriction.? Thank you in advance.

• Answer:

  keep the old number active, and have it forwarded to the new. or get your phone service from another supplier, such as the cable TV company, then have your number ported over to the cable service. or get a cell phone, have the old number ported over to the cell phone. Then, after you are established in the place, port the cell number over to the land service. be glad you have these options, 10 years ago, you would not be able to do this. If Encino and Woodland Hills is served by the same phone company, they should be able to port the numbers to the new location.