Why Carrier Lookup?
Knowing the carrier serving a phone number helps with:
- Routing — Send calls/SMS through optimal paths
- Billing — Apply correct carrier-based rates
- Fraud detection — VoIP carriers may indicate higher risk
- SMS delivery — Carrier affects deliverability
Data Source Comparison
NPAC (VeriRoute Intel)
The NPAC (Number Portability Administration Center) is the authoritative database for which carrier serves each US phone number. When a number is ported, NPAC is updated.
- 100% accurate for ported numbers
- Real-time data
- Industry standard for telecom
Prefix-Based Lookup
Some services use static tables mapping area code prefixes (NPA-NXX) to carriers. This was accurate before number portability, but now:
- 30%+ of numbers have been ported
- Prefix no longer indicates current carrier
- Error rate: ~30% for consumer numbers
Prefix-based lookup is free but often wrong.
Third-Party Aggregators
Some providers aggregate data from various sources. Quality varies by provider.
Why Accuracy Matters
Routing Errors
Wrong carrier = wrong route = failed or degraded calls/SMS.
Billing Errors
Different carriers have different termination rates. Wrong carrier = wrong billing.
Fraud Detection Failures
If you can't accurately identify VoIP vs. mobile carriers, fraud signals are missed.
VeriRoute Intel Exclusive Data
LRN Activation Date
When was the number last ported? No other carrier lookup service provides this. Use for:
- SIM swap detection
- Account takeover prevention
- Trust scoring
OCN (Operating Company Number)
The OCN is a 4-character unique identifier for each carrier. More reliable than carrier names for programmatic decisions.
Cost vs. Accuracy
| Option | Cost | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix-based | Free | ~70% |
| Basic LRN provider | $ | ~95% |
| VeriRoute Intel (NPAC) | $$ | ~100% + exclusive data |
Consider the cost of errors. A 30% error rate on routing or billing adds up quickly.
Choosing a Service
Choose Prefix-Based If:
- Accuracy doesn't matter
- You're doing rough estimates only
- Cost is the only consideration
Choose VeriRoute Intel If:
- You need accurate carrier data
- You're making routing/billing decisions
- You need LRN Activation Date for fraud detection
- You want OCN for reliable carrier matching
- You need bulk processing with preview
Get Accurate Carrier Data
NPAC-sourced lookup with exclusive LRN Activation Date.