Fixed or Mobile: Complete Guide 2026

You receive a call from a number starting with 09. Fixed or mobile? And if you are a salesperson, how do you know if this number in your database will connect you directly to a decision-maker on their mobile — or to a switchboard that will hang up on you?

The question "fixed or mobile number" is not trivial. Calling a mobile rather than a fixed line multiplies your pick-up rate by 4 to 10 (Cognism, 2025). On a list of 500 contacts, failing to make the distinction can cost you hours of calling into the void.

In France, telephone prefixes are well regulated. 06? Mobile. 01? Parisian fixed line. But 09? That’s where everyone gets it wrong. And 07? Many still think it’s "less reliable" than a 06 — that’s false.

This guide clarifies each prefix, explains how to verify the type of a number, and shows how to turn this information into a concrete advantage for your prospecting.

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Telephone Prefixes in France: The Complete Guide

Let’s start with the basics. Each mobile or fixed telephone prefix in France has a specific meaning. Here’s what each prefix represents.

Summary Table of Prefixes 01 to 09

Prefix	Type	Area / Usage
01	Geographic fixed	Île-de-France (Paris and surrounding area)
02	Geographic fixed	North-West (Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire)
03	Geographic fixed	North-East (Alsace, Lorraine, Burgundy, Picardy)
04	Geographic fixed	South-East (PACA, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Corsica)
05	Geographic fixed	South-West (Aquitaine, Occitanie)
06	Mobile	Mobile phone (historical, since the 90s)
07	Mobile	Mobile phone (opened in 2010, same status as 06)
08	Special numbers	Premium (089x), free (0800), or local rate
09	Non-geographic fixed / VoIP	Internet box, VoIP, IP telephony — NOT a mobile

The French numbering plan is managed by the ARCEP (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications). Unlike other countries, French prefixes are very well regulated. The distinction between fixed and mobile numbers is therefore relatively easy to identify — with two exceptions.

The Special Case of 09 — Fixed, Mobile, or VoIP?

This is the question everyone is asking. A number starting with 09, fixed or mobile? The answer: technically, it’s a national non-geographic fixed number.

The 09 is primarily assigned to internet boxes — Freebox, Livebox, Bbox. When you subscribe to an internet plan with included telephony, you get a number starting with 09. It is also used by professional VoIP telephony solutions like Ringover, Flexip, or Keyyo.

Since 2022, some numbers starting with 09 have been assigned for exchanges between platforms and mobile users. But in the vast majority of cases, a call from a 09 comes either from an internet box or a corporate VoIP system.

What this means for prospecting: a number starting with 09 = probably a fixed or VoIP, rarely a personal mobile. Treat it like a business number.

Another important point: numbers starting with 0948, 0949, 0162, 0377, 0568 are often associated with telemarketing. People no longer answer unknown 09 numbers. If you call from a 09, you will likely be filtered out. It’s better to use a local prefix (01-05) or a mobile number.

07 — Yes, It’s a Mobile

There are still many people who think that a number starting with 07 is not a "real" mobile. This is completely false.

The 07 was launched in 2010 for a simple reason: numbers starting with 06 were starting to run out. A number starting with 07, fixed or mobile? It’s a mobile. Period. It has exactly the same status as a 06 — same network, same technology, same usage.

For prospecting, a 07 = the same value as a 06. Put both 06 AND 07 in the "priority mobile" category. Both will connect you directly to the phone in your prospect's pocket.

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How to Check if a Number is Fixed or Mobile?

Now that you know the meaning of each prefix, here’s how to concretely check the type of a number. From the simplest to the most technical.

Method 1 — Look at the Prefix (90%+ Reliability)

The simplest method to recognize a fixed or mobile number in France? Look at the first two digits.

• 06/07 = mobile
• 01 to 05 = geographic fixed
• 09 = VoIP/fixed
• 08 = special number

A number starting with 03, fixed or mobile? Fixed — it’s the North-East. A 04? Fixed too, South-East. A 05? Fixed, South-West.

In France, this method works in over 90% of cases thanks to ARCEP regulation. Unlike the United States where portability makes prefixes useless, in France the prefix remains a very reliable indicator.

The only limitation: ported numbers. Number portability has existed in France since 2003 — you can change operators while keeping your number. But unlike the US, portability in France does not change the TYPE of line. A ported 06 from Orange to Free remains a mobile. A ported 01 remains a fixed line. In practice, you can trust French prefixes.

Method 2 — Google libphonenumber (Free, Open-source)

For a more precise verification, Google has created a fantastic tool: libphonenumber. The demo is available for free at libphonenumber.appspot.com.

You enter a number, select the country (France), and the tool immediately indicates: FIXED_LINE, MOBILE, VOIP, TOLL_FREE, etc. For France specifically, libphonenumber is very reliable because prefixes are regulated by ARCEP.

The advantage of libphonenumber: it is open-source. If you need to check the type of a phone number in bulk — a file of 500 or 1,000 contacts — you can write a script that processes each number through the library and automatically classifies your contacts. Simple and completely free.

Method 3 — Free Online Tools

Several online tools allow you to check a phone number for free:

• PhoneValidator / ClearoutPhone: 100 free checks, works internationally
• TextMagic Phone Validator: simple interface for one-off checks
• HLR Lookup: network verification to confirm that a mobile number is actively connected — useful for checking that a 06 or 07 is indeed active before calling

These tools are handy for one-off checks. For large volumes, you need something more robust.

Method 4 — Paid APIs for Bulk Processing

For teams processing thousands of numbers, Twilio Lookup API is the reference. At $0.005 per check, the API identifies the line type (fixed, mobile, VoIP) AND the operator.

It works perfectly with French numbers. You send your list, and you receive a classified file in minutes. For SDRs managing large volumes, it’s an investment that pays off quickly.

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Why Identifying the Type of Number Changes Everything in Prospecting

Knowing whether a number is fixed or mobile is not just telecom general knowledge. It’s a concrete competitive advantage.

Mobile vs Fixed: The Gap in Pick-up Rate

The numbers speak for themselves. According to Cognism (2025), calling a mobile rather than a fixed line multiplies your pick-up rate by 4 to 10 times. SDRs calling verified mobiles show a success rate of 11.3% compared to only 2.3% on average in the industry.

This makes sense. A fixed number at the office is often a switchboard. A secretary. An answering machine. An IVR that asks you to press 1, then 3, then 7. Whereas a mobile rings directly in the decision-maker's pocket.

57% of executives (C-level/VP) say they prefer to be contacted by phone (RAIN Group, 2024). And 82% of B2B buyers accept a meeting following a cold call. But first, someone has to pick up. For that, you need to call the right type of number.

Channel	Pick-up Rate	Ideal for
Mobile (06/07)	4-10x higher	Direct cold calls, SMS, WhatsApp
Office Fixed (01-05)	Very low (gatekeeper)	Callbacks, local presence
VoIP (09)	Variable	Check legitimacy first

The Concrete Impact on Your Cold Calling Campaigns

A salesperson who sorts their numbers — mobiles first, fixed next — easily gains 2 to 3 hours of productive time per day. Over a week, that’s 10 to 15 hours saved. Over a month, it’s almost an entire week.

There’s another trap that many forget: sending an SMS or WhatsApp to a fixed number = guaranteed failure. The message will never be delivered. If you’re doing multichannel (call + SMS + email), you absolutely need to know if it’s a fixed or mobile number before launching your sequence.

Classifying your numbers should be step number one. Even before writing your script.

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How to Build a Classified Telemarketing Database

Three concrete steps. That’s all it takes.

Step 1 — Extract Numbers from Google Maps

Before classifying anything, you need numbers. IBLead extracts phone numbers from Google Maps listings for 50M+ businesses in 37 countries. The database is updated weekly — not a six-month-old list with numbers that no longer answer.

A single export can cover the entire France or a specific department. All plumbers in 75? Two clicks. All restaurants in the PACA region? Two clicks. All real estate agencies in France? Same.

IBLead also allows you to filter by Google rating, number of reviews, or technologies used on the website. You export only the listings that have a displayed phone number — no wasted credits on incomplete listings. And IBLead includes a mobile/fixed filter to directly distinguish between the two types of numbers in your export.

Step 2 — Classify Your Numbers

Once your file is extracted, run the numbers through libphonenumber. In France, it’s almost automatic thanks to ARCEP prefixes:

• 06/07 → Mobile ✅ (high priority)
• 01-05 → Geographic fixed (medium priority)
• 09 → VoIP/Fixed (check before calling)
• 08 → Special number (ignore for prospecting)

You can also do this manually with an Excel sort on the first two digits. It’s not rocket science — but it changes everything.

Step 3 — Route Your Prospecting

Now that your numbers are classified, adapt your strategy:

Mobiles (06/07): Direct call as a priority. If no answer, follow up with a personalized SMS or WhatsApp. This is where your conversion rate will be highest.

Fixed (01-05): Prefer email or a multichannel strategy. If you call, be prepared to get past a gatekeeper. Have a secretary pitch ready.

VoIP (09): First, check the legitimacy of the number. If it’s a company switchboard, treat it like a fixed line. If it’s a direct number, attempt the call.

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Regulation: GDPR, Bloctel, and Number Classification

The essential part. Poor prospecting in France is not just ineffective — it’s illegal.

Bloctel is the French equivalent of the American "Do Not Call" list. If you are doing B2C telemarketing, you are required to check your numbers against Bloctel before each campaign. For B2B, the rules are more flexible — telemarketing between professionals is legal under conditions of legitimate interest.

The GDPR considers the phone number as personal data. Good news: the TYPE of number (fixed, mobile, VoIP) is a technical data point, not personal. You can classify your numbers without issue.

The Naegelen Law (March 2023) has tightened the regulation of telemarketing in France. Calling is prohibited on weekends and public holidays, with limited time slots during the week. This is another reason to maximize each call — and thus to call the right numbers.

The data extracted from Google Maps via IBLead is 100% public. No gray area, no dubious methods.

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FAQ — Fixed or Mobile Number

Is 09 a fixed or mobile number?

Technically, it’s a national non-geographic fixed number. It is primarily used by internet boxes (Freebox, Livebox) and VoIP telephony solutions. It is NOT a mobile number.

Is 07 a mobile?

Yes, absolutely. The 07 is a mobile prefix just like the 06. It was opened in 2010 due to the saturation of 06 numbers. A number starting with 07 has exactly the same value as a 06 for prospecting.

How to know for free if a number is fixed or mobile?

In France, the prefix is sufficient in over 90% of cases: 06/07 = mobile, 01-05 = fixed, 09 = VoIP/fixed. For precise verification, use the free demo of Google libphonenumber at libphonenumber.appspot.com.

Can you send an SMS to a fixed number?

Generally, no. SMS are delivered to mobiles (06/07) and some VoIP numbers. Sending an SMS to a 01-05 or a 09 will fail silently — your message will disappear into the void without an error notification.

Can a 06 number be a fixed line?

It’s extremely rare in France thanks to ARCEP regulation. Unlike the United States where portability makes the distinction impossible, in France prefixes remain very reliable. A 06 is almost always a mobile.

Is 09 a premium rate number?

No. Numbers starting with 09 are non-premium and charged at the price of a local call. They are included in all unlimited plans. Don’t confuse them with 08, which may be premium depending on the suffix.

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Conclusion: Stop Calling into the Void

Recognizing a fixed or mobile number in France is not complicated. Prefixes do the work in 90% of cases, and free tools like libphonenumber handle the rest. But what really makes the difference is what you do with this information.

A classified prospecting database — mobiles first, fixed next, verified VoIP — means 2 to 3 hours saved per day and a pick-up rate multiplied by 4 to 10. The numbers are clear.

It all starts with clean data. Not an Excel file bought six months ago with numbers that no longer answer. Fresh data, extracted from Google Maps listings and updated weekly.

Ready to build a phone database that actually picks up? IBLead gives you 200 credits to test — export your first contacts and classify them instantly.

free credits — 200 credits included