i see what you mean, i was probably ignoring the keyboard issues and thinking, youd just type the number in to the box, this will would then just filter your contacts, but suppose i'm not really thinking about the big picture.

You could have a configurable option, or a drop down menu that asks how you wish to search, if you choose by 'tel number' you get numbers, if you choose 'letters' you get the letters how it is now?

Just an idea.