070 (Mobile)
070 is a mobile phone number range. It was originally assigned to PHS but is now used for mobile phones as well.
Regional Characteristics
The 070 prefix was first assigned in 1995 to PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) lines. PHS, prized for its low power consumption and high audio quality, became widely used in medical institutions and as company internal lines, but the service was retired in 2021. As PHS numbers ran out and demand for mobile numbers grew, 070 was opened to ordinary mobile phones in 2013. Today many MVNO (low-cost SIM) contracts are issued with 070 numbers, making the prefix common among younger users and data-centric subscribers. Because 070 is national rather than tied to a region, you cannot identify the caller's location from the number alone.
Common Nuisance Call Patterns
Scammers send SMS messages impersonating delivery firms or banks to lure recipients to fake sites and steal personal and credit-card data. Don't tap links in unsolicited SMS - verify from the official app or website instead.
The phone rings just once and disconnects, baiting you into calling back to a number that bills steep call charges. The cardinal rule is never to call back a one-ring from an unknown 070 number.
Scammers pose as an acquaintance or colleague to extract personal information or money. Because many 070 numbers are relatively recent, the excuse "my number changed" is especially convenient for this scheme.
Consumer Affairs Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 070 number a mobile phone?
Yes - 070 is now a mobile-phone prefix. It was originally for PHS only, but was opened to mobile phones in 2013. PHS service itself ended in 2021.
Are 070 calls more likely to be nuisance calls?
Not just because the prefix is 070. New low-cost SIM contracts often get 070 numbers, so many calls come from regular individual users. Look up the number on Denwa to check.
What is the difference between 070, 080, and 090?
All three are mobile-phone prefixes, differing in when they were introduced: 090 first (1999), then 080 (2002), then 070 for mobile (2013). There is no difference in features or call quality.
Can I identify a 070 caller's region from the number?
No. Mobile prefixes (070, 080, 090) are national, so you cannot determine the caller's region from the number itself.