How do phones know who to call?

Question

I don’t understand how when I call someone the phone doesn’t call all the other phones or can pinpoint the exact one I am calling.

In: Technology

Answer 1

Each phone has a unique number. This is not the “phone number” that you memorized, but the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). The IMEI number is registered with the local cell tower that it’s in contact with. The process of buying a cell phone matches the IMEI of the phone handset to the “phone number” provided by the cellular carrier. When you type the phone number, the telephone database is queried to find what IMEI is assigned to the number at the present time. Then the radio network finds where that IMEI is located, and connects you to the phone.