How do I text to a cell phone number?

How can you determine if a cell phone number belongs at an actual carrier (ex: AT&T) vs. a text free #?

• I would like to know if there is a way to determine if the number calling/texting you is from an actual carrier or one of those texting-free apps.

• Answer:

  Use Phone Cell Number Lookup. Visit PhoneCellNumberLookup.com and type the number you're attempting to research into the box on screen and click "Search Now." The general origin location of the number is given for free, though the actual name of the owner of the phone can only be obtained after purchasing a tracer report. As of March 2011 a single report is $14.95. 2 Visit MobileNumberLookup.com. Type the cell phone number into the Mobile Number Lookup box on the right side of the screen. Click the "Submit Query" button when you're finished. This will give you the location city that the cell phone is based out of. The one-time cost of a full report as of March 2011, is $14.95. This report includes the name and address of the person who registered the phone number and information about the cellular carrier. 3 Use Look Up a CellPhoneNumber.com. Type the number you have questions about into the box at the bottom of the screen. Click "Find It!" The basic report available for free tells you the city where the phone number was registered and the name of the carrier. To find the name of the person who uses the number you need to pay a one-time fee of $14.95 -- as of March 2011.