The Number Validation Process
Before we submit any messages to a network operator, we do all that we can to make sure that the recipient number to which it is being sent is not invalid. The objective of this is to ensure that customers' credits are not wasted in attempting the delivery of messages which can't be delivered.
This validation process includes:
- The removal of non-numeric characters.
This covers the inclusion of '+' signs at the beginning of a number which is a familiar site on mobile handsets. It also covers the possibility of spaces within numbers that are often used to give numbers more structure. And, of course, it also covers the potential occurence of input errors.
- The removal of leading zero's.
By default, MSISDNs begin with the international dialling code of the country in which they are subscribed and leading zero's are usually added as an external dialling code to call out of the caller's country. As this is a common habit, leading zero's are stripped away.
- The rejection of numbers that are either too short or too long.
Any number that is too short (i.e. less than 8 digits) or too long (i.e. more than 20 digits) are automatically neglected as they are obviously invalid.
- The inclusion of a pre-specified country's dialling code.
For more information relating to this, please visit Default Dialling Code.