Alpha Numeric phone numbers (also known as Phone Words, Phone Names and Vanity Numbers) are simply phone numbers that spell 'easy to remember' words by using the letters on a telephone keypad. These words can then be dialed to connect to a particular business or service.

Until recently alpha numeric phone numbers have been used by single companies on a national basis. All calls generated from these type of phone numbers are typically delivered to the one company that controls the rights to that number.