transferring a telephone #/ownership of a telephone #

I had a telephone # I used for a small business that had be promoted via
many snail mailings.
The telephone# was originally with the local telco for ~ 4 years. Thereafter
the telephone # was transferred to the first VOiP provider.
At the end of a year with the first VOiP provider a second VOiP provider was
contracted based on transferring the telephone #.
6 months later the telephone # has not transferred, the current provider
apparently cannot manage the process.

The telephone # now produces a "not in service" answer. A reverse lookup of
the telephone number indicates it resides with the Telco and is available.
A call to the Telco produces no results.

Who owns the telephone #? As the customer service reps (when I can actually
contact them and speak to them ...) have been of no assistance,
besides the management of the various companies who could assist in the
transfer of this telephone #.

Before I receive the expected response - I have always dealt in a respectful
and professional manner with the customer service reps - but I always
indicate I need a workable solution to the problem.

 

The number is 'managed' by the local telco. You'll have to go (back) to
them to get reactivated. After some time I suppose they'll give it to
someone else. This happened to me - long story.

The telcos must have agreements in place with the local / current
provider to "port" any given number - another long story.