How to identify an operator by phone number

Each telephone number is a series of numbers 9xx and starting with +7xx. To determine the region code, it uses a three-digit numeric code, which can be seen in brackets (9xx). The first number +7 helps determine if the call is made abroad. Thus, region codes from cellular operators are not tied to a specific geographical area, like those of stationary devices. Today in our country the most popular are only three providers. More recently, this list has been supplemented by the less popular Tele 2, RosTelecom and others.

What prevents you from accurately identifying an operator without services?

It would seem that everything is simple: you can remember the codes of countries and telecom operators or take a reference book with such codes, and then look for the required values. But there are nuances.

Crossing codes

Issues of number distribution are dealt with by the International Telephony and Telegraph Consultative Committee (ICITT, ITU‑T). Its regulation No. E.164 states to the International Public Telecommunications Numbering Plan that numbers can have up to 15 digits and are usually written with a "+" prefix.

Immediately after the prefix comes the country code. And this is where the difficulties begin. Thus, the +7 code belongs not only to Russia, but also to Kazakhstan and Abkhazia. +1 - USA, Canada and many Atlantic island states. Therefore, you need to look at the following numbers.

The fewer subscribers there are in a country, the more digits there are in that part of the number that distinguishes it from other countries. Thus, Ukrainian Order 09.29.2008 N 1200 “On the approval of the Plan for the transition to a promising numbering system for the telephone network of the foreign government of Ukraine” numbers in the international format begin with +380, and Belarusian numbers STOP OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS June 22, 2006 No. 7 87 “ABOUT APPROVAL SYSTEMS AND NUMBERING PLAN FOR PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS” - from +375.

Map of the distribution of area codes between countries. Image: Maximilian Dörrbecker (Chumwa) / Wikimedia Commons

Telephone numbering plans for specific countries describe codes for cities and mobile operators, and dialing rules. For example, in Russia, an extract from the register of the Russian system and numbering plan, the number looks like this.

Country code: +7 (international format for calls from abroad) or 8 (for calls within the country).
Numbering zone: 3–5 digits. For mobile operators this is 3 digits, for landline numbers in large cities it is also 3, and in small cities it is 4 or 5.
Subscriber number: 5–7 digits. Mobile numbers and telephone numbers in large cities have 7 digits, in small cities - 5–6.

The structure of Russian numbers, approved by the numbering plan.
Image: Olga Skvortsova / Lifehacker Since there are many subscribers and operators, mobile number ranges sometimes overlap. So, initially MTS numbers began with 91x and 98x, MegaFon with 92x and 93x, and Beeline with 903 and 96x. But with the growth in the number of subscribers, new codes were added, including the same ones.

On the website "Codes.su" the intersections of zones are more clear than in terms of numbering

Now the numbers of MegaFon, Yota, Tele2 and other smaller companies can begin with 999 Code 999, and Beeline, MTS and others with 986 Code 986. So, in addition to the operator code, you need to look at the first digits of the number.

Landline numbers usually have a stricter geographic location, and the ranges do not overlap. But it happens that in small cities, for example, 5- and 6-digit numbers are used. Then a certain number is added before the 5-digit number and used by analogy with 6-digit numbers.

And in large cities there may be several number zones. For example, Moscow has three codes: 495, 498 and 499. They are not tied to regions. But a number with the same code can be serviced by different service providers. For example, for 499 Moscow telephone code - 495 or 499 these are Beeline, MTS, Comkor (Akado Telecom) and Telecom TZ.

Abolition of mobile slavery

In many countries around the world, the linking of a number to an operator was canceled in the early 2000s. In Russia, this became possible only from December 1, 2013. The authorities decided that the phone number is the property of the subscriber, so they allowed MNP (Mobile Number Portability).

That is why searching for a certain combination of numbers in numerous tables of numbering plans is not only a long task, but often useless.

Using digital numbers

VoIP telephony (voice over IP over the Internet) further complicates number identification. Without going into the details of the technology, we can say that here the cheapest possible way is chosen to connect subscribers of different operators, including from different countries, the corresponding proxies and nodes.

If, for example, you receive a call from Skype to your mobile phone, you will see different numbers each time. Accordingly, even if you determine the country code and operator using such a set of numbers, this will say practically nothing about the real location of the subscriber and even about what VoIP service he uses.

How to identify an operator by phone number

We think you already understand that you shouldn’t rely on memory and search manually. It is much more convenient to use online services, applications and USSD requests. They will help you find out the operator, and often the region in which the mobile number is registered. Well, or the city from which they called from a landline phone.

There are official government services, as well as resources from telecom operators: they provide only data from the numbering plan and legal information from their own databases. There are also independent resources: they can use data from official services, as well as number databases purchased online. Therefore, there are no guarantees of the accuracy of the information in this case, especially when you are looking for numbers ported to new operators.

What is a digital code for mobile devices?

The concept of any cellular operator means a code of 11 original numbers. By the first three digits you can always find out the name of the provider and the region of connection. This is very convenient if your phone uses two SIM cards at once or you need to top up your balance. If you need to use the services of other operators, you have to change the number and rewrite all the information again. More recently, a new function was introduced: “replacing the operator while maintaining the number,” which significantly complicated the operation of determining the necessary information using the code.

How to identify an operator using special services

Website of the Central Research Institute of Communications

Geography: only Russian Federation.
Number type: mobile and landline numbers.

The only official service that shows the new operator after changing the number. His data is often used by other identification sites.

True, it will not be possible to find out the region to which the number is linked. In addition, you can check one number at a time for free. So for commercial purposes (for example, compiling a database for mailing lists) it is unlikely to work.

Go to the TsNIIS website →

MegaFon and Beeline services

Geography: only Russian Federation.
Number type: mobile numbers only.

Two representatives of the Big Four have added pages to their websites where you can quickly identify your mobile operator and region.
Beeline needs a captcha, MegaFon does not. Otherwise the services are identical. Determine the operator on the MegaFon website → Determine the operator on the Beeline website →

Codes.su

Geography: the whole world.
Number type: mobile and landline numbers.

An independent service that determines the country and region for landline numbers, as well as the operator and region for mobile numbers. We checked several numbers from the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Sweden and the USA, all tests were completed successfully.

Numbers can be entered one by one manually. If you need a bulk search of numbers (for example, you intend to create mailing lists and do not want subscribers from different regions to receive messages at night), you can integrate the service API with the website.

Determine the operator on the website "Codes.su" →

Why do people want to know where they were called from?

It will not be possible to obtain complete information about a possible subscriber without appropriate judicial permission. Ordinary people, based on pure interest, strive to find out at least the mobile operator of the caller, as well as the region.

Due to the huge number of people who require SIM cards, and the lack of variability in existing number combinations, it is common to resell numbers after they are blocked and not used for a long time. As a result, having received a seemingly completely new SIM card, a person may begin to receive many unclear incoming calls and SMS.

People will try to contact him, thinking that he is the previous owner of this number. The situation is not too difficult if friends or relatives of that person call. However, unfortunately, most often you have to talk with representatives of banks, collectors, as well as numerous advertising workers .

Of course, in such situations there is no desire to pick up the phone. Is it possible to determine which region they are calling from, so as not to miss an important conversation, refusing to explain where the old owner of the SIM card is located? Many people try to do this using the first digits of the number, but is it realistic?

How to determine an operator using USSD requests

For Beeline subscribers

This operator allows the Team to independently resolve common questions regarding Beeline services to check only the affiliation of the number to its network. To do this, enter the USSD command *444*<subscriber number, starting with 9># and press the call button. The response message will contain not only information about the operator, but also - if the number is Beeline - an indication of the region. It's free.

For MegaFon subscribers

At MegaFon, the *629# command and the “Call” button will provide Telephone codes for mobile operators with access to the menu in which you need to enter the subscriber number. In response, the operator and region are given. The request is free.

For Tele2 subscribers

They need to How to find out an operator by mobile phone number, dial the command *190*<subscriber number># and press the call button. The operator and region of the number binding will be displayed on the screen. The service is free.

How to call numbers +7 (978) 897-9*-**

From an office phone

Usually, in order to call a cell phone from the office, you first need to “go out into the city.”
To do this, dial the code - usually it is “0” or “9”. Next, you should wait until the long beep sounds, dial “8”, again wait until the long beep ends, and dial the phone number: 978 897-9*-**. If the numbers “0” and “9” do not work, check with your colleagues which number should be used to “go out into the city”. For example:

0, “long beep”, 8, “long beep”, (978) 897-9*-**
9, “long beep”, 8, “long beep”, (978) 897-9*-**

From a landline or cell phone

If you want to call from a cell phone or landline/landline, dial it like this: +7 (or just 8), code 978, and then the subscriber number: 897-9*-**.
For example:

8 (978) 897-9*-**
+7 (978) 897-9*-**

From abroad, from a cell phone

If you are abroad, then usually to dial a number you first need to “get into international communication”.
As a rule, the call code depends on the country of location, but usually it is codes 0011, 011 or 00. After this code, you need to dial the number seven (7), code 978 and the required phone number. For example: