What's the deal with the +1 (1) (216) 116-11 invalid number message when texting?

[Dennis S]

Sometimes I use the local 7 digit number and the long distance 10 digit number and it still happens.

[Winston]

Didn't know you could ever use a 7 digit number for texting on a mobile phone.

Mobile phones accept three formats for a number:

1. For a U.S. number: area code & number - ex: 212-555-1212

2. For a U.S. number: +1 & area code & number - ex: +1-212-555-1212
The "plus" tells the system that the next number is the international code for a country. The U.S. has "1" as its international country code.

3. For a U.S. number, you might also be able to use 011 & 1 & area code & number. ex: 011-1-212-555-1212
(Have not actually tried this on a U.S. number, but pretty sure it works for a call to a foreign country. Such as "44" replacing "1" to call the U.K.)
"011" is used by both land lines and mobile lines to designate that the next number is the international code, again, 1 for U.S.

What you can't use is: 1 & area code & number - ex. 1-212-555-1212
This is the format for calling long distance from a land line, but should not work from a mobile phone.

It also won't work to do: +1 & 1 & area code and number, as you are double counting the U.S. country code. - ex: +1-1-212-555-1212.
The code in your text looks like you might have done this.

I think the above is right.


Good luck.

- Winston

[space-time]

I think that happens when you try to text a land-line. The +1 (1) (216) 116-11 must be one of those fake numbers cell operators use to send error messages.

Did you ever text a TV station or similar, those use 5 digit numbers. Those are not real telephone numbers.

[Dennis S]

I know of two numbers that have done this that are not landlines.

Also, I text 7 digit local numbers all the time.

[Winston]

Dennis S wrote:
Also, I text 7 digit local numbers all the time.

Had no idea you could do that. But then, where I am, we no longer have 7 digit local numbers (we have 4 local area codes, and, I'm told, soon to get a 5th).