What is Phone Number Data? Examples, Uses & Datasets to Buy in 2024

What is Phone Number Data Used For?

There are hundreds of business applications made possible with phone number data. Having a database of phone numbers means that businesses across the globe have the opportunity to market their services directly to potential clients without the need to go through third-parties.

Since phone numbers are region and country specific, phone number data gives marketers an overview of the coverage of marketing campaigns, hence helping them make decisions on where to dedicate more resources and attention.

Governments also use mobile number data to study people’s personal mobility, geographical partitioning, urban planning, and assist plans for development, in addition to security issues like KYC.

How is Phone Number Data Collected?

For marketers, having the phone numbers of current and potential customers brings countless opportunities for lead generation and CRM. Having customer phone numbers is a great way to bolster marketing campaigns because it offers marketers the opportunity to engage with their audience through rich media messages and mobile messaging.

As such, investing in phone number databases is a crucial aspect of any modern marketing campaign.

These datasets are compiled by consumer data providers. Some of the strategies that data providers can employ to collect phone number data include:

• Adding contact forms to websites.
• Making requests in the event of customer service calls.
• Using promotional mobile keywords to prompt potential customers to send a message.
• Using app updates to ask customers to update their contact information when they log in.
• Acquiring already-available phone number data from third-party provision companies that already have the data and purcahsing a license to re-sell it.

What Are the Key Attributes of Phone Number Data?

One of the most important features of phone number data is that it is uniquely tailored to show the geographical location of a mobile user. Because phone numbers have country or region-specific strings, this data shows the precise geographical location of users. This factor comes in handy for targeted campaigns, when marketers on a certain region in their marketing campaigns.

Also, to avoid cases of duplication and enhance ease of access, phone number data is usually saved in an E164 international format that defines the key parameters of a stored phone number. The parameters that are adhered to in this E164 format include a country code (CC), a national destination code (NDC) and a subscriber number (SN).

How Can a User Assess the Quality of Phone Number Data?

When evaluating the quality of phone number data, you ought to take into account the core quality dimensions of data analysis. These dimensions include:

• Completeness: It is crucial that every aspect representing the phone number data in the database is complete will 90% fill rates.
• Accuracy: There’s little value in phone number data if it’s inaccurate as you won’t be able to reach contacts successfully.
• Consistency: The data should be presented in a consistent way that’s easy for you and your software to digest.
• Accessibilty: Phone number databases must be accesible in terms of how well the data is arranged to ensure ease of navigation and instant business impact.

Is Your Phone Number Personal Data?

Yes, a phone number is considered personal data under many privacy regulations, including GDPR and similar laws. It can be used to identify or contact an individual and must be handled in compliance with applicable data protection laws. At Datarade, we enforce strict policies, requiring all our providers to adhere to regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and other relevant data protection standards.

What Type of Data is Your Phone Number?

Your phone number is considered personal identifiable information (PII) and is usually classified as text or string data when stored in databases.

How Accurate is the Phone Number Data?

Phone number datasets prioritize accuracy through extensive validation processes. Many providers report a 99-100% accuracy rate for phone numbers and associated details. Advanced scoring mechanisms, such as Phone Quality Level (PQL), evaluate and rank records for confidence, filtering out spam, fraud, or invalid numbers. This ensures you can trust the data to connect with the right contacts every time.

Is the Phone Number Data Regularly Updated?

Yes, phone number data is typically refreshed on a regular basis, ranging from daily updates to monthly or quarterly cycles, depending on the provider. Frequent updates help maintain data relevance by incorporating changes like carrier porting or registry updates. This ensures you’re working with the latest and most reliable contact information.

How is Phone Number Data Protected?

Data security is a top priority. Providers often follow strict compliance standards, such as GDPR, and implement encryption protocols to safeguard sensitive information. Additionally, features like Do Not Call (DNC) registry checks are integrated to ensure legal compliance and respect user privacy.

How Can Phone Number Data Be Delivered?

You can receive phone number data in multiple formats, including .csv, .json, .xml, or through REST APIs for a simple integration into your systems. Delivery methods range from SFTP and S3 buckets to email or UI exports, offering flexibility to match your workflow. For real-time applications, some datasets are accessible on demand.

What Factors Influence the Pricing of Phone Number Data?

The cost of phone number data depends on several factors, including the dataset’s size, accuracy, geographic coverage, and additional attributes like demographics or property insights. Pricing models include one-off purchases, monthly or yearly licenses, and usage-based rates, such as per API call. Many providers offer free samples or discounts for bulk purchases, allowing you to evaluate the data before committing.

Can Phone Number Data Be Enriched with Additional Information?

Yes, phone number data can be enriched with various attributes like email addresses, mailing addresses, demographics, and property details. For instance, you can link phone numbers to property ownership data or verify them against litigation statuses. This makes it easier to create targeted campaigns or improve customer engagement.