MSISDN

MSISDN is a number uniquely identifying a subscription in a GSM or UMTS mobile network. Simply put, it is the telephone number to the SIM card in a mobile/cellular phone. The abbreviation has several interpretations, most common one being "Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number".^[1]

The MSISDN together with IMSI are two important numbers used to identify a mobile subscriber. The former identifies the SIM, i.e. the card that is inserted into the mobile phone, while the latter is used to route calls to the subscriber. IMSI is often used as a key in the HLR ("subscriber database") and MSISDN is the number normally dialed to connect a call to the mobile phone. A SIM is uniquely associated to an IMSI, while the MSISDN can change in time (e.g. due to number portability), i.e. different MSISDNs can be associated to the SIM.

The MSISDN follows the numbering plan defined in the ITU-T recommendation E.164.

Abbreviation

Depending on source or standardization body, the abbreviation MSISDN can be written out in several different ways. These are today the most widespread and common in use.

All these refer to ISDN being Integrated Services Digital Network, however MSISDN is a directory number and has nothing to do with ISDN. It is defined as:

Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN)^{[citation needed]} - a number used to identify a mobile phone number internationally. MSISDN is defined by the E.164 numbering plan. This number includes a country code and a National Destination Code which identifies the subscriber's operator.

E. 164 states - The international public telecommunication numbering plan. An E.164 number uniquely identifies a public network termination point and typically consists of three fields, CC (country code), NDC (national destination code), and SN (subscriber number), up to 15 digits in total.

MSISDN Format

An MSISDN is limited to 15 digits, prefixes not included (e.g., 00 prefixes an international MSISDN when dialing from Sweden).

MSISDN - Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number

In GSM and its variant DCS 1800, MSISDN is built up as

MSISDN = CC + NDC + SN
CC = Country Code
NDC = National Destination Code, identifies one or part of a PLMN
SN = Subscriber Number

In the GSM variant PCS 1900, MSISDN is built up as

MSISDN = CC + NPA + SN
CC = Country Code
NPA = Number Planning Area
SN = Subscriber Number

Example

MSISDN: 79261234567

For further information on the MSISDN format, see the ITU-T specification E.164.

See also

• E.164
• International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)
• International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
• SIM card
• Mobile phone
• GSM
• HLR
• E.214

References

External links

• http://www.3gpp.org, GSM 03.03 (see section 3.3)
• http://www.openmobilealliance.org
• http://www.itu.int, E.164, E.212, E.213, E.214
• http://www.gsmworld.com