MSISDN () is a number uniquely identifying a subscription in a Global System for Mobile communications or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System mobile network. It is the mapping of the telephone number to the subscriber identity module in a mobile or cellular phone. This abbreviation has several interpretations, the most common one being "Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number".The conclusion ("most common") is drawn from the recent documentation from 3GPP and Open Mobile Alliance, please see the Abbreviation section above
The MSISDN and international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) are two important numbers used for identifying a mobile subscriber. The IMSI is stored in the SIM (the card inserted into the mobile phone), and uniquely identifies the mobile station, its home wireless network, and the home country of the home wireless network. The MSISDN is used for routing calls to the subscriber. The IMSI is often used as a key in the home location register ("subscriber database") and the MSISDN is the number normally dialed to connect a call to the mobile phone. A SIM has a unique IMSI that does not change, while the MSISDN can change in time, i.e. different MSISDNs can be associated with the SIM.
The MSISDN follows the numbering plan defined in the International Telecommunication Standard Sector 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.
OrganizationMeaningSource3GPPITUOMAMobile Subscriber ISDN NumberVocabulary for 3GPP Specifications (new)3GPP VocabularyITU-T Rec. Q.1741-4 (10/2005)ITU-T Q.1741-4Dictionary for OMA Specifications OMA DictionaryCSPSITUGSMAMobile Station International ISDN Number(s)MSISDN Format and Details ITU-T Rec. Q.1741-4 (10/2005)Mobile Terms & AcronymsGSMA Acronyms ITUMobile International ISDN NumberVocabulary of Switching and Signalling Terms ITU Vocabulary
MSISDN format The ITU-T recommendation E.164 limits the maximum length of an MSISDN to 15 digits. 1-3 digits are reserved for country code. Prefixes are not included (e.g., 00 prefixes an international MSISDN when dialing from Sweden). Minimum length of the MSISDN is not specified by ITU-T but is instead specified in the national numbering plans by the telecommunications regulator in each country.
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
The country code identifies a country or geographical area, and may be between 1-3 digits. The ITU defines and maintains the list of assigned country codes.
3N4N5N6N7N8 CC/ISD Code CCC (Example: 880)BangladeshNDC/NPA CodeXX (Example: 15)As allocated by the Government of Bangladesh:Teletalk: 015Grameenphone: 017 & 013Banglalink: 019 & 014Robi: 018 & 016SNN1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8(example: 00121121) 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 Mobile identification number Telephone number
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 https://web.archive.org/web/20110222090438/http://www.gsmworld.com/