Why arent cell phone numbers listed in the phone book or directery?

by drewsaunders

I understand they change alot and stuff, but the people I know don’t even have a house phone, instead they have cell phones. I understand also privacy, but they don’t ask your permission to put your house number in the phone book, so why wouldn’t they put cell numbers in?

Answer by Brad/Diana B
Usually there is only one company in most areas that handles land line phone numbers and what not. You actually have to pay to not have your phone listed. There are o many cell phone companies out there and with all of the new area codes haveing to be created it is not cost productive for any one company to publish a book. Especially since the whole reason for having a cell phone is different than having a land line. Cellphones may be used for business or private use and the fact that there are so many disposable phones out their it just isn’t practical to publish them. When I was growing up and you cancelled or changed your phone number with the phonbe company, your old number was held out of service for 6 – 12 months before being reassigned. With all the cell phones changing numbers and what not, thats not practical anymore and the turn around is 3- 4 weeks. Therefore its not reasonable to publish a cell phone book as it will be outdated as much as 40% each month for those who cancel their services or are disconnected for not paying the bills. Cell phone companies will reassign your number if you do not reactivate your service in as little as 60 days. I know this is alot of infor for your answer but there are other reasons as well.

Answer by Duane B
Because of your home phone being a land line, callers calling you are paying for the call, but cell phone users are paying for all calls incoming and outgoing in minutes and there is no address to look up.

Answer by Michael M
The cell phone industry does not want it. Your privacy is more important. The cell phone industry does not want to complie a phone book. Also in your life time how many cell companies have been taken over and become part of a new company. The book would be obsolete with a printing.
People also change the phone number with greater frequency that the house number.
me for example. Have had two home numbers ins 9 years and at least 7 different cell numbers.

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cell phone


Image by samantha celera
day 21.
My cell phone. Up close and personal.

I know you can home phone numbers but what about cell numbers?

Answer by alohagirl612
Yes actually. go to freecellphonelookups.com

Answer by ♥Mrs.Nick Jonas♥
nope i already tried you have to pay

Answer by James K
There’s a 100% free tool at http://www.unitedsleuths.com/reverse-phone.html

It searches all the free resources including Google and Whitepages to give you access to such owner information as their name and location.

If the tool can’t find any free information, it shows you the best place to find it.

Hope this helps?

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