How Outbound Caller ID Works
When a call is received, the receiving carrier performs a lookup through the national carrier database to retrieve and display the caller ID associated with the calling number. It is important to understand that displaying caller ID accurately is the responsibility of the receiving phone company, not the sending carrier.
For example, if you call a number on the same VoIP platform, that platform is responsible for displaying the correct caller ID record. If you call a Verizon number, Verizon is responsible for looking up and displaying the correct information. This distinction matters when troubleshooting incorrect or missing caller ID displays.
Why Caller ID May Display Differently Across Destinations
Many phone carriers cache caller ID information rather than performing a live lookup on every call. This means the name displayed when you call one destination may differ from what is shown when you call another. The cached record each carrier holds may be outdated or sourced from a different database than what others use.
If you believe a caller ID record being displayed at a particular destination is incorrect, the only way to resolve it is to open a ticket directly with the carrier that is receiving your calls and displaying the wrong information.
CNAM Storage
CNAM Storage is a service that registers your name and number within the national carrier database. When a receiving carrier performs a caller ID lookup on an outbound call from your number, a correctly registered CNAM record increases the likelihood that your business name is displayed accurately. Both Inbound and Outbound CNAM options are available, and CNAM Storage specifically addresses how your number appears when you call out to others.