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Overview

PhoneNumberType is an enum that represents different types of phone numbers. Use this to categorize phone numbers and understand their characteristics.

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Getting the Type

Get the type of a phone number using PhoneNumberUtil::getNumberType(): 
$phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();

$number = $phoneUtil->parse('+14155552671', 'US');
$type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);

if ($type === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::MOBILE) {
    echo "This is a mobile number";
}

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Phone Number Types

The following types are available in the PhoneNumberType enum:
TypeValueDescription
FIXED_LINE0Traditional landline numbers
MOBILE1Mobile/cellular numbers
FIXED_LINE_OR_MOBILE2Numbers that could be either fixed-line or mobile. In some regions (e.g., USA), it’s impossible to distinguish between these types.
TOLL_FREE3Freephone lines (e.g., 800, 888 numbers in the US)
PREMIUM_RATE4Premium rate numbers that charge higher rates
SHARED_COST5Numbers where the call cost is shared between caller and recipient (typically less than premium rate)
VOIP6Voice over IP numbers, including TSoIP (Telephony Service over IP)
PERSONAL_NUMBER7Personal numbers associated with a person, may route to mobile or fixed-line
PAGER8Pager numbers
UAN9Universal Access Numbers or Company Numbers (one number for entire company)
UNKNOWN10Numbers that don’t fit any known pattern for the region
EMERGENCY27Emergency service numbers (e.g., 911, 999)
VOICEMAIL28Voicemail access numbers
SHORT_CODE29Short codes (typically 4-6 digits)
STANDARD_RATE30Standard rate numbers

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Usage Examples

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Basic Type Checking

$phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();

$number = $phoneUtil->parse('+14155552671', 'US');
$type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);

switch ($type) {
    case \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::MOBILE:
        echo "Mobile number";
        break;
    case \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::FIXED_LINE:
        echo "Landline number";
        break;
    case \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::TOLL_FREE:
        echo "Toll-free number";
        break;
    default:
        echo "Other type: " . $type->name;
}

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Filtering by Type

function isMobileNumber(string $phoneNumber, string $region): bool
{
    $phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
    
    try {
        $number = $phoneUtil->parse($phoneNumber, $region);
        $type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);
        
        return $type === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::MOBILE
            || $type === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::FIXED_LINE_OR_MOBILE;
    } catch (\libphonenumber\NumberParseException $e) {
        return false;
    }
}

// Usage
if (isMobileNumber('+14155552671', 'US')) {
    echo "Can send SMS";
}

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Handling Different Types

$number = $phoneUtil->parse('18005551234', 'US');
$type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);

if ($type === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::TOLL_FREE) {
    echo "This is a toll-free number";
}

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Business Logic Based on Type

function canSendSMS(\libphonenumber\PhoneNumber $number): bool
{
    $phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
    $type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);
    
    // SMS can typically be sent to mobile and some fixed-line-or-mobile numbers
    return in_array($type, [
        \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::MOBILE,
        \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::FIXED_LINE_OR_MOBILE,
    ], true);
}

function shouldWarnAboutCost(\libphonenumber\PhoneNumber $number): bool
{
    $phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
    $type = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($number);
    
    // Warn about potentially expensive numbers
    return in_array($type, [
        \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::PREMIUM_RATE,
        \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::SHARED_COST,
    ], true);
}

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Regional Differences

// In the US, many numbers could be either mobile or fixed-line
$usNumber = $phoneUtil->parse('+12015550123', 'US');
$usType = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($usNumber);

if ($usType === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::FIXED_LINE_OR_MOBILE) {
    echo "Cannot determine if mobile or fixed-line in US";
}

// In the UK, mobile numbers have distinct prefixes
$ukMobile = $phoneUtil->parse('+447400123456', 'GB');
$ukType = $phoneUtil->getNumberType($ukMobile);

if ($ukType === \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberType::MOBILE) {
    echo "Definitely a mobile number in UK";
}

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Type Characteristics

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Common Use Cases by Type

FIXED_LINE
  • Business landlines
  • Residential phones
  • May not support SMS
MOBILE
  • Cell phones
  • Supports SMS and calls
  • May have different rate plans
TOLL_FREE
  • Customer service lines
  • Free for caller to dial
  • Business uses (800, 888, 877, etc.)
PREMIUM_RATE
  • Pay-per-call services
  • Entertainment lines
  • Higher charges apply
VOIP
  • Internet-based phone services
  • May have different routing
  • Often used by businesses
UAN (Universal Access Numbers)
  • Single number for organizations
  • Routes to multiple locations
  • Common for large companies

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See Also

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