Test-Driving the Most Powerful Number Searching

Phone numbers form the basis for any communications application, from call tracking systems to conversational AI voice responders, SMS appointment reminders to scalable contact center solutions. Finding, purchasing, and provisioning phone numbers is a critical first step in building advanced communications experiences for your users, but many communications API providers offer a lackluster, error-prone process.

Here at Telnyx, we've built the most powerful number searching experience on the market, thanks to our licensed carrier statuses, tier-1 partnerships, and deep telephony expertise all around the world.

Read on to see the full power of number searching with Telnyx, with examples of advanced searches carried out through the Mission Control Portal and the Telnyx API.

To get started, you'll need to sign up for a Telnyx account. From there, log in to access number searching through the Mission Control Portal.

If you'd prefer to search via the Telnyx API, you'll need to log in and grab an API key from the portal. In our code examples, we're using a simple cURL command that you can send from any terminal. If you'd prefer to send commands using our SDKs in Python, Ruby, Node, PHP and .NET, check out the API reference in our Developer Center.

How to find numbers by area code

Finding numbers in specific area codes help to localize your business communications where you may not necessarily have a physical presence. In targeted advertising and call tracking applications, local area codes can boost your targeted advertising efforts by offering a familiar local number for your audience to call. In customer engagement and sales acceleration applications, prospects may be more likely to answer a call from a number with a recognizable area code, boosting your answer rates.

Search numbers by area code in the Telnyx Portal:

Search numbers by area code with the Telnyx API:

curl -X GET
  --header "Accept: application/json"
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  --globoff "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/available_phone_numbers?filter[national_destination_code][]=312&filter[best_effort]=false"

How to find numbers by city, country, or rate center

Each area code can hold a maximum of just under eight million unique phone numbers. When the amount of numbers that have been issued nears this limit, it's necessary to introduce an area code overlay to increase supply. Overlays add a new three-digit area code covering the same geographic area as an existing area code. As such, more than one area code can apply to a given area. For example, Chicago was originally served by area code 312, but in 2009 an overlay was added such that the area code 872 covered the same area as 312 (along with the neighboring 773 area code covering the suburbs).

To save you some extensive background research on a given region or city's history of area codes, search numbers by region - you can enter a city, country, or even a specific US rate center in order to browse a full list of numbers from all area codes covering the region.

Search numbers by city, country, or rate center in the Telnyx Portal:

Search numbers by city, country, or rate center with the Telnyx API:

curl -X GET
  --header "Accept: application/json"
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  --globoff "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/available_phone_numbers?filter[locality][]=New%20York%20City&filter[best_effort]=false"

How to find vanity toll-free numbers

It's no secret that vanity toll-free numbers can boost your marketing efforts. Customers are far more likely to recall a vanity number containing a memorable phrase, especially if it's relevant to your business. In the US, it's become harder and harder to find vanity numbers as more and more businesses reserve numbers with the highly sought-after 800 prefix. Luckily, the FCC has added several more toll-free prefix ranges in recent years, including 833 in 2017.

With Telnyx, it's simple to search for toll-free numbers across countries, regions and toll-free prefixes. What's more, you can search for vanity numbers by simply specifying a search phrase, including search modifiers like wildcards and repeating digits.

Search vanity toll-free numbers in the Telnyx Portal:

Search vanity toll-free numbers with the Telnyx API:

curl -X GET
  --header "Accept: application/json"
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  --globoff "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/available_phone_numbers?&filter[number_type]=toll-free&filter[phone_number][contains]=CAR&filter[best_effort]=false"

How to find numbers with emergency services capability

Any phone, anywhere can dial a local emergency services number and be connected to a trained agent. Carriers can associate names and addresses with phone numbers for emergency calling purposes. These details are used by emergency services in routing emergency calls to the correct answering point, and shared with the emergency call center agent, in order to expedite the emergency services response.

In order to ensure your customers can take advantage of these features, you can filter your number search results to only show numbers which have advanced emergency services capabilities.

Search numbers by emergency services capability in the Telnyx Portal:

Search numbers by emergency services capability with the Telnyx API:

curl -X GET
  --header "Accept: application/json"
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  --globoff "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/available_phone_numbers?&filter[features]=emergency&filter[best_effort]=false"

How to find ranges of consecutive phone numbers

If your use case involves purchasing large quantities of phone numbers (such as call tracking or SMS marketing applications), it can often be useful to purchase these numbers in consecutive blocks for easier tracking.

Telnyx number search allows you to find blocks of consecutive numbers, and to combine this search operator with other filters to find the exact numbers your business needs.

Search consecutive number ranges in the Telnyx Portal:

Search consecutive number ranges with the Telnyx API:

curl -X GET
  --header "Accept: application/json"
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
  --globoff "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/available_phone_numbers?&filter[consecutive]=3&filter[best_effort]=false"

Finding phone numbers should never be a worry for your business, especially if your use case revolves around a healthy supply of numbers. This is especially true for Call Tracking and Managed Services applications. Unfortunately, this is the case with some communications providers, especially if they don't have direct access to their own number ranges - this limits your searching capabilities and your provider's ability to troubleshoot number issues. Read more about how Telnyx stacks up against other communications providers.

Do you have a niche requirement for phone numbers? Chat to an expert today to discover how Telnyx can meet your needs.