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MCC and MNC codes

MCC and MNC codes identify a mobile network: a 3-digit country code plus a 2- or 3-digit network code, defined by ITU-T E.212. How to read them.

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A cell tower sends signal to a SIM card; the line type is identified as mobile rather than landline or VoIP.A cell tower sends signal to a SIM card; the line type is identified as mobile rather than landline or VoIP.

An MCC/MNC is the code that identifies a single mobile network. The Mobile Country Code (MCC) is three digits and identifies the country. The Mobile Network Code (MNC) is two or three digits and identifies the network within that country. Together they form the network's PLMN identity (Public Land Mobile Network). The scheme is defined in ITU-T Recommendation E.212.

How do you read an MCC/MNC code?

Split the string after the third digit. 23415 is MCC 234 (United Kingdom) plus MNC 15. 310260 is MCC 310 (United States) plus a 3-digit MNC 260.

A few MCC examples:

MCCCountry
234, 235United Kingdom
262Germany
302Canada
310–316United States
001Reserved for test networks

A country can have several MCCs. The MNC length (2 or 3 digits) is set by each national regulator, so always store the combined code as a string. Treating it as a number drops leading zeros (01 and 1 are different MNCs).

Where do MCC and MNC codes appear?

  • On the SIM. The first digits of the IMSI (the SIM's subscriber identity) are the MCC and MNC of the home network.
  • In the network broadcast. A phone shows which network it is attached to by reading the MCC/MNC the cell broadcasts. That is how a phone knows it is roaming.
  • In HLR and routing replies. An HLR lookup returns the MCC/MNC of the network currently serving a number. After a port that is the new network, not the original one.
  • In SMS pricing. Wholesale messaging rates are often listed per MCC/MNC, because costs differ between networks in the same country.

How is an MCC/MNC different from a phone number's country code?

They come from two separate numbering systems. Phone numbers follow E.164, where the UK is +44 and the US and Canada share +1. Networks follow E.212, where the UK is 234/235, the US 310–316 and Canada 302. You can't derive one from the other with a simple table, and the network serving a number can't be read from its digits once porting is involved.

How does MobileValidate return network codes?

The upcoming HLR lookup will return mcc_mnc (for example "23415") together with the current network name and its country. It will never return the IMSI or other SIM identifiers. Until it launches, the carrier lookup returns the current carrier name, and the original carrier when the number was ported.

Frequently asked questions

Is the MCC the same as the phone country code?

No. The MCC is a 3-digit mobile network country code from ITU-T E.212. The dialling country code (such as 44 or 1) comes from ITU-T E.164. The UK is 44 for dialling but MCC 234 or 235.

Why is the MNC sometimes 2 digits and sometimes 3?

Each country's regulator chooses. Most countries use 2-digit MNCs. The United States and some other countries use 3 digits. Keep the code as a string so leading zeros are not lost.

Does a phone number's MCC/MNC change?

The number doesn't change, but the network serving it can. After a port, the current MCC/MNC is the new network's code, not the code of the network the range was allocated to.

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