CODEWITHSUNDEEP
geolocationtelephonyphone-number
David Toy
David Toy

Reputation: 190

Telephone Number to Geolocation UK

Is there a service that provides latitude and longitude for UK phone numbers?

For example:
Query: 0141 574 xxx, Returns: (55.8659829, -4.2602205) [Glasgow City Centre]

Allow me to stress that I am not looking for a reverse-directory-enquires. I am more interested in 'local area' for things like weather by phone or "Where's my nearest Pizza Shop?"

If this service doesn't exist your suggestions on how to implement it or where to get data from would also be incredibly useful.

I am aware that Ofcom provides a list of area codes with a place name [1] suitable for geolocation, but I have my concerns about resolution. I see this as a particular problem in smaller towns and rural areas where an area code will cover a large geographical area.

Second Example:
Area Code: 01555, Ofcom: Lanark
However:
01555 860xxx is Crossford (4 miles W of Lanark)
01555 77xxxx is Carluke (5 miles NW)
01555 89xxxx is Lesmahagow (5 miles SW)
01555 840xxx is Carnwath (7 miles NE)

Therefore 01555 covers about ~80 sq miles. That's not particularly local.

[1] Ofcom Area Code Tool: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2009/09/telephone-area-codes-tool/

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1169

Answers (3)

dave singer
dave singer

Reputation: 56

You can get a resonable location for numbers allocated to BT.

The "L" digits map to a particular exchange within that area:

  • (02X) LLLL XXXX (2+8)
  • (011X) LLL XXXX (3+7)
  • (01X1) LLL XXXX (3+7)
  • (01XXX) LLXXXX (4+6)
  • (01XXX) LLXXX (4+5)
  • (01XXXX) LXXXX (5+5)
  • (01XXXX) LXXX (5+4)

For cable providers (especially those using fibre optic delivery), there is sometimes only one exchange per area code and therefore the numbers in each LL range cover the entire area code.

For numbers allocoted to other providers there's a similar problem. Additionally, those numbers may be allocated as VoIP and in use in another area or even in a completely different country. For non-BT numbers location data cannot be relied on.

For people who have moved and kept their number, location data will also be inaccurate.

That said, CodeLook does a reasonable job of showing the right data: http://www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk/codelook.htm

Upvotes: 0

JohnnyJP
JohnnyJP

Reputation: 1246

What sort of telephone numbers are they? If they are businesses, what do you think of the possibility of searching for the whole number using say, Googles API, and lifting the actual address from the page? - I know thats harder to do than that, just exploring some possibilities ..;-

Upvotes: 0

bert
bert

Reputation: 680

You may have a problem in that not all numerics after area codes are geographic. Some have been block allocated to Cable Providers. I know my own number has belonged to myself and also a person who lived about 5 miles northeast of my current location, the link... we belong to the same cable provider.

Upvotes: 0

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