MSISDN

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

The MSISDN together with IMSI are two important numbers used for identifying a mobile subscriber. The latter identifies the SIM, i.e. the card inserted in to the mobile phone, while the former is used for routing 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.

Organization	Meaning	Source
3GPP ITU OMA	Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number	Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications (new)[2] ITU-T Rec. Q.1741-4 (10/2005)[3] Dictionary for OMA Specifications [4]
3GPP ITU GSMA	Mobile Station International ISDN Number(s)	GSM 03.03 (old)[5] ITU-T Rec. Q.1741-4 (10/2005)[3] Mobile Terms & Acronyms[6]
ITU	Mobile International ISDN Number	Vocabulary of Switching and Signalling Terms [7]

MSISDN Format

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

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: 380561234567

CC	380	Ukraine
NDC	56	Dnipropetrovsk
SN	1234567	Subscriber's number

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

1. ^ The conclusion ("most common") is drawn from the recent documentation from 3GPP and OMA, please see the Abbreviation section above
2. ^ 3GPP Vocabulary
3. ^ ^{a b} ITU-T Q.1741-4
4. ^ OMA Dictionary
5. ^ GSM 03.03
6. ^ GSMA Acronyms
7. ^ ITU Vocabulary

External links

• http://www.3gpp.org, GSM 03.03 (see section 3.3)
• http://www.openmobilealliance.org
• Dedicated long code numbers for inbound SMS
• http://www.itu.int, E.164, E.212, E.213, E.214
• http://www.gsmworld.com
• http://www.msisdn.org/