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Check a phone number with HLR Lookup
In short: Go to HLR Lookup in the sidebar, enter the number in international format without + (for example 14155551234) and click Perform Lookup. Each lookup costs $0.05 from your seller balance and shows the country, carrier, MCC/MNC, ported status and roaming status.
How a seller checks a number
- CDR or SDRClick a destination number to prefill
- then, HLR Lookup Number, HLR LookupCharges $0.05 to your seller balance
- then, lookup sent, Mobile networksAnswer for the number right now
- then, Raw API Response, ResultCarrier, MCC/MNC, ported and roaming status
On this page
An HLR lookup asks the mobile networks about a number right now: which carrier serves it, whether it has been ported, and whether the phone is roaming. As a seller, use it to investigate a buyer's complaint about a destination or to check numbers before you test a route.
HLR Lookup is a platform tool, not a product you sell: it isn't a route type in Market View.
Before you start#
You need at least $0.05 in your seller balance; each lookup costs that much. Have the number in international format with the country code, digits only: 14155551234, not +1 (415) 555-1234.
How do I look up a number?#
- Click HLR Lookup in the sidebar.
- Under Perform Lookup, enter the number in Phone Number.
- Click Perform Lookup.
The cost is shown next to the button, Cost per lookup: $0.05, and is taken from your balance as soon as the lookup is sent.
Tip
On the CDR and SDR pages, click a destination number and choose HLR Lookup Number <number>. HLR Lookup opens with that number filled in; click Perform Lookup.
What does the result show?#
Lookup Results has two parts:
- Country: the flag and name of the number's country.
- Network Information:
- Carrier Name: the network that serves the number now, with its network type as a badge.
- MCC/MNC Code: the carrier's mobile country and network code. Copy MCC/MNC copies it.
- Ported Status: Ported when the number has moved from the network it was issued on, Original Network when it hasn't, otherwise Unknown.
- Roaming Status: Roaming or Home Network, otherwise Unknown.
- Lookup Cost: $0.05 USD.
Open Raw API Response for the full answer as JSON, and Copy JSON to keep it. If every field says Unknown or N/A, the networks returned no data for that number; the reason is under status_message, and the lookup is still charged.
Where do the charges show?#
Each lookup is a $0.05 line in Money → Payout History with the note HLR Lookup <number>. The results aren't stored for you: copy the JSON if you need a record.
Can I run lookups from my own system?#
Yes. Call GET /sellers/hlr/lookup/{number} on the API with HTTP Digest authentication: your portal login as the username and your API Key as the password, with Allow API Access turned on in Profile & Preferences. See Use the API for the setup. The reply is {"status": "success", "response": {...}} with the same fields as Raw API Response.
What if something goes wrong?#
| You see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Seller balance insufficient to run query | Your balance is below $0.05. It grows as buyers' traffic on your routes is billed. |
| CLD missing, or wrong format (only digits are supported) | Enter the number with the country code and digits only: no +, spaces or dashes. |
| Every field shows Unknown or N/A | The networks have no data for the number. Check status_message in Raw API Response; the lookup is still charged. |
Common questions
How much does a lookup cost?
$0.05 per number, taken from your seller balance. You need at least $0.05 in the balance.
Can I sell HLR lookups?
No. HLR Lookup is a tool TelecomsXchange provides to buyers and sellers; it isn't a route type you can list in Market View.
Am I charged when the lookup finds nothing?
Yes. A lookup is charged once it has been sent, even when the network returns no data. Check the number format before you run it.
Where do the charges show?
In Payout History, as a $0.05 line with the note "HLR Lookup" and the number.
- How much does a lookup cost?
- $0.05 per number, taken from your seller balance. You need at least $0.05 in the balance.
- Can I sell HLR lookups?
- No. HLR Lookup is a tool TelecomsXchange provides to buyers and sellers; it isn't a route type you can list in Market View.
- Am I charged when the lookup finds nothing?
- Yes. A lookup is charged once it has been sent, even when the network returns no data. Check the number format before you run it.
- Where do the charges show?
- In Payout History, as a $0.05 line with the note "HLR Lookup" and the number.
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This guide matches platform build 83b4ebc9. Markdown version.