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Device Identifiers

The document defines identifiers used for 2G/3G and 4G M2M devices. For 2G/3G devices, identifiers include ESN, MEID, MDN, and MIN. For 4G devices, identifiers include IMEI, MEID, ICCID, IMSI, and MSISDN.

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13 views

Device Identifiers

The document defines identifiers used for 2G/3G and 4G M2M devices. For 2G/3G devices, identifiers include ESN, MEID, MDN, and MIN. For 4G devices, identifiers include IMEI, MEID, ICCID, IMSI, and MSISDN.

Uploaded by

sofiane khaled
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2G/3G M2M device identifiers defined

2G and 3G devices use the following identifiers:

Identifier Description

Manufacturers assigned ESNs to CDMA devices until about 2006. ESNs


uniquely identify devices. To verify that the device is not reported lost or stolen
and that all subscriber bills are current, ESNs get transmitted to the network each
time the device is used.

Electronic Serial The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) administered ESNs and
Number (ESN) assigned a code to each device manufacturer to prepend to the serial number. An
11-digit ESN comprises the manufacturer’s code (the first three digits) and the
serial number (the remaining eight digits). As manufacturers produce certified
Verizon devices, they upload identifiers, including ESNs, to the Verizon Device
Management Database (DMD), where they await activation by an approved
account. In some circumstances, these devices may never be activated on the
Verizon network.

After the ESN supply was exhausted, the TIA devised the MEID system for
CDMA device manufacturers to use to identify 3G devices. Like the ESN,
MEIDs get transmitted to the network each time the device is used.
Mobile
Equipment An MEID’s 14 hexadecimal characters represent the following three pieces of
Identifier data: regional code, manufacturer code, and serial number. As manufacturers
(MEID) produce certified Verizon devices, they upload identifiers, including MEIDs, to
the DMD where they await activation by an approved account. In some
circumstances, these devices may never be activated on the Verizon network.

MDN is the unique 10-digit phone number Verizon assigns to a CDMA device at
Mobile Directory
activation. MDNs comprise the area code (3 digits), exchange (3 digits) and
Number (MDN)
number (4 digits).
Verizon uses a 10-digit MIN to internally track and route traffic to and from a
Mobile device. Like the ESN and MEID, the MIN is transmitted to the network each
Identification time the device is used. Traditionally only 3G devices are assigned MINs;
Number (MIN) however, since 4G devices contain components that allow 3G traffic, they also
have MINs.

4G M2M device identifiers defined


4G devices use the following identifiers:

Identifier Description

International Mobile All 4G M2M devices include radio modules that allow wireless
Equipment Identity communication. Manufacturers assign these radio modules unique IMEIs.
(IMEI) IMEIs are the primary 4G device identifiers.

Since most 4G devices also have a 3G modem to allow communication


when a 4G connection isn’t available, these devices also have MEID
identifiers. As manufacturers produce certified Verizon devices, they
upload IMEIs to the Verizon DMD where they await activation. In some
circumstances, these devices may never be activated on the Verizon
network.

Every 4G M2M device requires a SIM card, which enables it to


communicate on a wireless network. SIM cards are specific to a carrier’s
Subscriber Identity network. SIM cards that enable communication on the Verizon network
Module (SIM) differ from those built to communicate on other carriers’ networks. A SIM
card identifies a device to the network by carrying two identities: ICCID
and IMSI.
An ICCID is the unique serial number assigned to and imprinted on a SIM
Integrated Circuit card by the manufacturer. An ICCID is stored in a SIM card’s memory and
Card Identifier never changes over the life of the card. If you remove a card from a device
(ICCID) and insert it into another device, the ICCID and IMSI remain with the SIM,
but the IMEI associated with the SIM changes.
The IMSI is stored on a SIM card and identifies and authenticates the user
of the network, which Verizon also calls the subscriber. The IMSI is only
revealed to and known by the carrier.
International Mobile The IMSI comprises the following codes:
Subscriber Identifier
(IMSI) • MCC = Mobile Country Code (311)
• MNC = Mobile Network Code (480)
• MSIN = Mobile Subscription Identification Number – unique number
for the subscriber on the Verizon network
Mobile Station
International MSISDN is the unique 11-digit phone number Verizon associates with a
Subscriber Directory 4G device at activation. It is functionally equivalent to a 3G device’s MDN.
Number (MSISDN)

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