ANI

ANI, which stands for automatic number identification, is a feature often included in telephonic applications that allows users to either view or capture an incoming caller's billing telephone number. It is not related to caller identification services, but was created prior to the invention of caller ID by AT&T. This service was meant to make it easier for internal billing departments to bill long distance. ANIs include both information digits (which identify class of service) and the calling party's billing telephone number. Because ANI is not related to caller ID, a blocked party’s telephone number can be captured by an ANI service regardless of their blocked status. ANIs are typically utilized by Wide Area Telephone Services and large companies to track and understand calling patterns.