Caller Name Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the source of your data?

TARGUSinfo is not a traditional single-source supplier, as are White Pages compilers and Directory Assistance providers. These databases have inherent weaknesses in accuracy, completeness and coverage.

We have relationships with over 90 proprietary sources, including a unique membership in the US Telecommunications Network (USTN).

The USTN is the ultimate platform for up-to-date information on all phone numbers, including nonpublic and wireless numbers. By becoming a trusted member of the USTN, TARGUSinfo has built a foundation for data that is exceptionally precise, relevant and actionable.

How often is your database updated?

Data for TARGUSinfo solutions is updated 10 times per day. Over the course of every month, our network is refreshed by more than 90 proprietary data sources.

Why is CNAM from an Information Services provider superior to data from a network services provider?

Traditionally, Telecommunication Providers have relied on a fractured, inefficient approach to provide subscriber-facing services, manage customer relations and make the most of their interactions with unknown consumers.

Each of these functions was tied to only one of many internal, independent platforms, such as engineering or customer acquisition. Each group had a separate customer data repository or an external data source that was tailored specifically to its own functions. Little sharing was possible amid these silos.

Now you can use a single, precise source for all of your information needs with TARGUSinfo's unique data repository.

Do you have access to wireless subscriber names for CNAM display?

Yes, we have access to wireless subscriber names where available and our coverage leads the industry. As a trusted partner of the US Telecommunications Network, TARGUSinfo has access to millions of records that are not available through any other source, including wireless subscriber names.

What contingencies do you have for network outages?

TARGUSinfo has redundancy at every point of possible failure and utilizes multiple carriers to connect to 16 servers on both the East and West coasts.

How do I establish service with TARGUSinfo?

TARGUSinfo has a variety of IP and SS7 connectivity options available to you. Contact your Sales Representative at 1-800-6-TARGUS (800.682.7487) or fill out this form to discuss the option which best fits your organization.

Why is a single-source solution better?

Network CNAM alternatives rely on a web of interconnected databases, each with a different rate. Costs are unpredictable because they depend on the calling patterns of end users, which determine the volumes a carrier sends to each network CNAM vendor's database. TARGUSinfo Caller Name Services remove the cost and complexity associated with network CNAM. With one connection and a single rate per query or per subscriber, carriers receive access to all available caller names.

Does TARGUSinfo offer Per-Subscriber Pricing?

TARGUSinfo is the only CNAM provider that offers Per-Subscriber Pricing, which charges carriers for CNAM data based simply on the quantity of their phone subscribers. Other CNAM information suppliers — which rely on a web of interconnected databases, each with a different rate — charge by the number of times they provide a name for Caller ID display. Per-Subscriber Pricing for Caller Name Services makes it simple to budget in times of rapid growth and is particularly important for companies that need to rapidly embrace new customers.

What is Multimedia CNAM?

TARGUSinfo Caller Name Services are not limited to traditional wireline handsets and caller ID boxes. We support caller name delivery to multiple devices, including TVs, PCs and wireless handsets. Unlike other CNAM vendors, our data is not limited to 15 characters, so we can provide full name and location to these other devices.

How does TARGUSinfo Caller Name Services differ from flat-file or Directory Assistance-based products?

Directory Assistance is the opposite of CNAM. Callers dial Directory Assistance (DA) to obtain a phone number for a particular person, while CNAM provides the name for an incoming phone number. Only about 100 million of the 400 million active phone numbers are available in DA, so it is a partial solution at best. TARGUSinfo's repository contains more than 250 million listings, with the ability to query the network for the remaining available names.

Why is your service better than the CNAM service I have been using?

TARGUSinfo is the fastest-growing national CNAM provider. Our true nationwide coverage, data quality, cost savings and outstanding customer support combine to drive our leadership in the industry.

Over 100 Telecommunication Providers rely on TARGUSinfo's uniquely innovative approach to enhancing the services they offer. Our Caller Name Services offer a single-source solution that gives you the cost certainty of a single rate per query or per subscriber.

For which countries does TARGUSinfo have coverage?

TARGUSinfo technology contains information on all valid telephone numbers within the North American Dialing Plan (NADP). Name and address information is currently available for the United States only.

What kind of service and support can I expect?

Our goal is to make it easy to do business with us. We will work closely with you to establish the optimal connectivity and the right protocol for your business. Our communications engineers are available to work directly with you as needed throughout the implementation process. TARGUSinfo support personnel are available 24x7 and our network elements are monitored around the clock.