Porting number to new network, need old SIM to be reachable

I was with smarty network for a while but the signal was weak in the building so I got an eSIM from Lyca as they use EE which I’ve heard is much better with signal.

I want to keep my old number (smarty), I got my PAC code and filled in a form on Lyca website, got no confirmation, so I clicked submit again and then they showed my a duplicate request message.

I emailed Lyca support just in case as well with my details and porting details too just in case.

Next day, I didn’t get any updates, so I called Lyca, I spoke with some Indian girl who said the transfer was successful, I checked my phone and suddenly I lost signal with Smarty (old provider), and when entering *132# using Lyca eSIM it would show my old number, so I thought it’s all good now.

However the network signal came back on my old SIM (Smarty), I disabled that card in the settings, so only Lyca was active. I changed my number to the one I want to keep in iphone settings, but then iMessage won’t activate for my old number.

Whenever I call someone it shows my correct old number, but when people call me, I need to have the old SIM card (Smarty) active showing No Service, otherwise people will hear I’m not available, then as soon as they disconnect I will get a text message saying I missed a call.

Anyone knows what’s going on? Surely something is wrong as I shouldn’t have to have my old Smarty SIM card installed showing no service just so people can call me. Also iMessage still won’t activate with the old number…

I ported my number before from Three to GiffGaff (o2), then to Smarty and it was always a smooth process with text updates. With Lyca I got nothing at all through the whole process. Only difference is I’m trying to move from a physical SIM to an eSIM…