Types of Phone Validation
1. Format Validation
Basic syntax checking:
- Correct number of digits
- Valid country code
- Valid area code
- No reserved/invalid prefixes
Most APIs provide this. It's necessary but not sufficient for quality validation.
2. Carrier Verification
Checking if a carrier recognizes the number:
- NPAC lookup — Authoritative source (VeriRoute Intel)
- Prefix-based — Unreliable for ported numbers
VeriRoute Intel uses NPAC, the authoritative database, for accurate carrier verification.
3. Reachability Testing
Some services test if numbers are actively reachable:
- HLR lookup for mobile
- Ring/no-ring testing
- OTP verification
VeriRoute Intel provides carrier verification; active reachability requires additional services.
VeriRoute Intel Exclusive Features
LRN Activation Date
Know when a number was last ported. No other validation API provides this data. Use for:
- SIM swap detection
- Reassignment detection
- Trust scoring
Preview Before Paying
For bulk validation, see sample results before committing. Verify data quality meets your needs.
Combined Data
Get validation, carrier, line type, CNAM, and activation date in one API call.
Choosing a Provider
For Basic Format Checking
If you only need to verify number format, basic validators work. But they miss:
- Disconnected numbers (format valid, number dead)
- Ported numbers (carrier info wrong)
- Reassigned numbers (same number, different person)
For Business-Critical Validation
When data quality matters (call centers, compliance, fraud prevention), you need:
- NPAC-sourced carrier data — Accurate for ported numbers
- Line type detection — Mobile vs. landline matters
- LRN Activation Date — Detect recent changes
- CNAM — Caller identity verification
Cost Considerations
Compare total cost of ownership:
- Per-lookup cost — What you pay per number
- Data depth — Do you need multiple providers for complete data?
- Error cost — What does inaccurate data cost you?
VeriRoute Intel's all-in-one approach often costs less than assembling multiple services.
API Example
# VeriRoute Intel - LRN lookup
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
}Get Complete Validation
Carrier, line type, CNAM, and LRN Activation Date in one call.