Mobile (ie Cell) US Phone Number Identification 1

[koala15]

This may sound like a strange question in this forum, but ..

I am writing an App that in part of its processing needs to distinguish between USA "land/fixed" phone numbers and "mobile/cell" numbers.

Is there such a distinction and if so, what is the logic?

In some countries it is distinguished by the first x digits. Is there such discrimination in the US?

Thanks guys.

"Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom"

 

[chiph]

There is likely little distinction that you can make. Unlike some countries (I know the UK has certain prefixes which identify mobile numbers), in the North American Numbering Plan, all numbers are equal, identified by area code, exchange, and number (see NANPA). The number could be a land-line, cellphone, pager, fax machine, modem, radio-station contest line, etc., and there is no indication of the type.

You can call the major cell phone providers (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) and they can give you a list of area code and exchanges that they offer (they will likely want a lot of money for this info, and will not give it out to just anyone). Complicating matters is the new VOIP service (like Vonage), which also has many points-of-presence around the US & Canada.

I assume you want them in order to comply with the US Federal law prohibiting telemarketing calls to phone numbers where the recipient has to pay for the call? (cellphone users in the US pay for incoming calls).

Chip H.


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[koala15]

Thank you ChipH for you comprehensive reply.

I will reconsider the objective of my app.

Cheers.

"Life is full of learning, and then there is wisdom"