Best LRN Lookup Providers Compared (2025)

What is LRN Lookup?

LRN (Local Routing Number) identifies which carrier currently serves a phone number. Unlike area code prefixes, LRN data accounts for number portability — when users switch carriers but keep their number.

Without LRN data, you only know the original carrier. Over 30% of US numbers have been ported, so original carrier data is often wrong.

Why Data Source Matters

LRN data comes from the NPAC (Number Portability Administration Center) — the authoritative database maintained by the telecom industry.

VeriRoute Intel queries NPAC directly for authoritative data. Some providers use:

• Aggregated/cached data (may be outdated)
• Third-party data sources (varying accuracy)
• Prefix-based guessing (30%+ error rate)

VeriRoute Intel Exclusive: LRN Activation Date

VeriRoute Intel is the only provider offering LRN Activation Date — when a number was last ported to its current carrier. This enables:

• SIM swap detection — Flag recently ported numbers
• Fraud prevention — New ports during sensitive actions = risk
• Trust scoring — Long carrier tenure indicates stability
• Reassignment detection — Port after last contact = new owner?

No other LRN provider includes this data.

What to Compare

Data Included

Good LRN lookup should include:

• LRN — The routing number
• OCN — Operating Company Number
• Carrier name — Human-readable identifier
• Line type — Wireless, landline, VoIP
• Ported status — Has number been ported?
• Activation date — When last ported (VeriRoute Intel only)

Pricing Model

• Per-lookup — Pay for what you use
• Subscription — Monthly commitment
• Volume tiers — Discounts at scale

VeriRoute Intel uses pay-as-you-go with volume discounts. No subscription required.

Bulk Processing

For large lists, you need efficient bulk processing:

• VeriRoute Intel: Web upload with preview before payment
• Others: Often API-only or enterprise agreements

LRN Use Cases

• Call routing — Route to correct carrier
• SMS delivery — Identify carrier for messaging
• Billing — Apply correct carrier rates
• Fraud detection — Identify VoIP, detect recent ports
• Contact validation — Verify number assignment

API Example

curl -X POST https://api-service.verirouteintel.io/api/v1/lrn \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"phone_number": "15551234567"}'

# Response
{
  "data": {
    "phone_number": "15551234567",
    "lrn": "5551230000",
    "carrier": "Verizon Wireless"
  },
  "success": true
}