UK mobile networks by 07 prefix

UK mobile numbers begin 07, but the specific sub-prefix tells you which Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Ofcom originally allocated the block to — EE, O2 (Virgin Media O2), Vodafone or Three. This guide is the full prefix-to-network map, plus a strong caveat: because UK numbers are portable, the current network can differ from the originally-allocated one.

#The 07 family at a glance

#Which 4-digit prefix maps to which UK MNO

Ofcom publishes mobile allocations in 1,000- or 10,000-number blocks. A 4-digit prefix (07XXX) is usually enough to identify the originally allocated network. Notable examples from the public Ofcom Numbering Data:

#Why the current network can be different

UK mobile numbers are portable — when you switch from EE to O2 you keep your existing number, and the underlying carrier swaps but the Ofcom-allocated Range Holder does not. So a number originally allocated to EE in 2014 may today be on Vodafone, on Three, or on a Three MVNO. Ofcom does not publish a current-carrier feed.

For the full implications of porting on caller identification, see Range Holder vs current provider and UK phone number portability explained.

#How to identify the network on a specific 07 number

1. 1

   Look it up on this site

   Paste the full 11-digit number into the lookup form on the homepage. The Range Holder field returns the Ofcom-allocated MNO for that 1,000- or 10,000-block.

2. 2

   Cross-check with an HLR lookup if currency matters

   A paid carrier-aware API (Twilio Lookup, MessageBird HLR, Vonage Number Insight) can return the *current* network as well as the original allocation. See UK phone number validation API.

3. 3

   If the caller claims to be a specific MNO, verify

   Real MNO support lines are usually 0345 numbers (EE 0800 956 6000, O2 202 from your O2 mobile, Vodafone 191, Three 0333 338 1003). A 07 cold-call claiming to be 'your network' is a scam.

#Bottom line

The 07 prefix tells you which MNO Ofcom originally allocated a UK mobile number to. The current network may differ because of porting. Use the lookup form on the homepage to see the Range Holder for any specific 07 number, free, no signup.