Number Lookup
Number Lookup, also known as HLR lookup or carrier lookup, checks a mobile number against the Home Location Register (HLR)(opens in new tab) to retrieve information about its status and network. Number Lookup does not reveal the physical location of the user and cannot be used for location-based services.
Use the results to keep your contact data accurate, route traffic correctly, and detect fraud. To run a lookup from the web interface, the REST API, SMPP, or ENUM, see Access methods.
Learn more in Phone number carrier lookup: what it is and why it matters(opens in new tab).
Number Lookup is a chargeable service. For pricing, contact your account manager or Support.
To review your costs, use the financial reports in Analyze or the Billing Usage API. Both show costs aggregated according to your invoicing.
Lookup results [#what-a-lookup-returns]
Each lookup returns:
- Whether the number is valid
- Whether it has been ported to a different network
- Whether the subscriber is roaming
- The country and mobile network the number belongs to, including the operator name and the Mobile Country Code and Mobile Network Code (MCC and MNC)
- The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)(opens in new tab) that identifies the subscriber on the network
- Any permanent or temporary error associated with the number, such as an absent subscriber
Number Lookup returns the operator name and its assigned network codes, even when the handset is switched off. If the number has been ported, it identifies the network that serves it. If the subscriber is roaming, it also returns the network they are roaming on.
The information you receive depends on your package and the destination. The IMSI is not available for all destinations. For some destinations, a lookup returns only portability information. To change your package, contact your account manager or Support.
In the India region, Number Lookup uses the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service instead of the HLR. If a number has not been ported, the network comes from its prefix.
Use cases [#use-cases]
Number Lookup supports these use cases:
Identify numbers that are invalid, inactive, ported, or roaming, so you stop sending to numbers that cannot receive messages. Checking numbers in bulk before you send reduces wasted spend and increases delivery rates. For example, if 30 out of 100 numbers are invalid, removing them saves up to 30% of your SMS costs. Database cleaning requires the Database Cleaning package.
Determine the network that serves a number, so you can route and charge messaging and voice traffic correctly.
Detect when the same Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN)(opens in new tab) gets a different IMSI. A change can indicate a SIM swap and warrant a step-up authorization.
Confirm the home network of a number before you rely on it. Number Lookup validates mobile numbers on nearly 400 networks worldwide.
Access methods
Run a lookup from the web interface, the REST API, SMPP, or ENUM.
Number Lookup API reference
Full request and response schemas, all response variants, and the status and error list.
Number Lookup detailed report columns
The columns of the per-number report in Analyze.
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