Unable to port AT&T Landline to U-verse and charging more a month.

My mother has had the same SW Bell/AT&T phone number for 46 years. 3 years ago, she moved to an area of town with a different prefix, AT&T allowed her to keep her number. My home is 1.3 miles from her previous home and I have the same prefix as hers (for 32 years). On 4/14, I switched my phone to U-verse and was able to keep my number.

My mother recently moved in with me and wanted to keep her number. I didn't think it'd be a problem since we have the same prefix. After an hour being bounced around to different agents, I'm told that AT&T can't change my number to hers, even though the same VRAD serves her previous address. When I asked if I cancelled my U-verse phone service and went back to a traditional land line, she said that could not be done either. I asked why and she said because she was moving to a different area. I reminded her that she was moving back to the area where our prefix originated. She then said she would try entering it in "manually". SURPRISE! It went through.

In 3 days, the number should be changed, yet no technician will come to confirm it works. I'll be downgraded from U-verse phone to a basic landline with no long distance and my bill will go up $11 per month (before taxes & fees). For "my troubles", she knocked $5 a month off my U-verse internet bill. Is this how 78 years of combined loyalty is rewarded? Looks like its time to consider another provider for internet and VoIP.