Integer or String for a phone number?

I want to know if I have to use a string or an integer for a phone number?

I have tried an integer but I have a problem in my validation.

... table->integer('phone'); ...

In my validation I must to have between 9 to 11 characters.

I have tried this but it's doesn't works.

'phone' => 'required|numeric|between:8,11',

I think the string is better?

via Chebli Mohamed