# MSISDN > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MSISDN > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MSISDN.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSISDN > Source revision: 1340306646 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Unique subscription identifier in a mobile network Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number **MSISDN** ([/ˈɛm ɛs aɪ ɛs diː ɛn/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English)) is a number uniquely identifying a subscription in a [Global System for Mobile communications](/source/GSM) or a [Universal Mobile Telecommunications System](/source/UMTS) mobile network. It is the mapping of the telephone number to the [subscriber identity module](/source/SIM_card) in a mobile or cellular phone. This abbreviation has several interpretations, the most common one being "**Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number**".[1] The MSISDN and [international mobile subscriber identity](/source/International_mobile_subscriber_identity) (IMSI) are two important numbers used for identifying a mobile subscriber. The IMSI is stored in the [SIM](/source/Subscriber_Identity_Module) (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](/source/GSM_core_network#HLR) ("subscriber database") and the MSISDN is the number normally dialed to connect a call to the mobile phone. A [SIM](/source/Subscriber_Identity_Module) 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](/source/ITU-T) recommendation [E.164](/source/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] CSPS ITU GSMA Mobile Station International ISDN Number(s) MSISDN Format and Details [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 The [ITU-T](/source/ITU-T) recommendation [E.164](/source/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](/source/GSM) and its variant [DCS 1800](/source/GSM_frequency_bands), MSISDN is built up as - MSISDN = CC + NDC + SN - CC = Country Code - NDC = National Destination Code, identifies one or part of a [PLMN](/source/PLMN) - SN = Subscriber Number In the [GSM](/source/GSM) variant *[PCS 1900](/source/GSM_frequency_bands)*, 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](/source/List_of_country_calling_codes). ### Example Example Number: +880 15 00121121 (Teletalk Hotline Number) Has the following subscription number: MSISDN=8801500121121 MSISDN=CCCXX**N1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8** CC/ISD Code CCC (Example: 880) Bangladesh NDC/NPA Code XX (Example: 15) As allocated by the Government of Bangladesh: Teletalk: 015 Grameenphone: 017 & 013 Banglalink: 019 & 014 Robi: 018 & 016 SN N1N2N3N4N5N6N7N8 (example: 00121121) For further information on the MSISDN format, see the [ITU-T](/source/ITU-T) specification [E.164](/source/E.164). ## See also - [E.164](/source/E.164) - [International Mobile Equipment Identity](/source/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity) (IMEI) - [International Mobile Subscriber Identity](/source/International_Mobile_Subscriber_Identity) (IMSI) - [SIM card](/source/SIM_card) - [Mobile phone](/source/Mobile_phone) - [GSM](/source/GSM) - [HLR](/source/GSM_core_network#HLR) - [E.214](/source/E.214) - [Mobile identification number](/source/Mobile_identification_number) - [Telephone number](/source/Telephone_number) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-commonality_1-0)** The conclusion ("most common") is drawn from the recent documentation from [3GPP](/source/3GPP) and [Open Mobile Alliance](/source/Open_Mobile_Alliance), please see the [Abbreviation](#Abbreviation) section above 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3GPP_Vocabulary_2-0)** [3GPP Vocabulary](https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/21_series/21.905/21905-a30.zip) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ITU-T_Q.1741-4_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ITU-T_Q.1741-4_3-1) [ITU-T Q.1741-4](http://www.itu.int/rec/dologin_pub.asp?lang=e&id=T-REC-Q.1741.4-200510-I!!PDF-E&type=items) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-OMA_Dictionary_4-0)** [OMA Dictionary](https://web.archive.org/web/20120222050347/http://www.openmobilealliance.org/document/OMA-ORG-Dictionary-V2_7-20081023-A.pdf) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GSM_03.03_5-0)** ["MSISDN - How to check mobile number from sim- Msisdn vs IMSI"](https://www.cspsprotocol.com/msisdn/). 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2019-11-23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GSMA_Acronyms_6-0)** [GSMA Acronyms](http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/glossary.shtml) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091852/http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/glossary.shtml) 2007-09-29 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ITU_Vocabulary_7-0)** [ITU Vocabulary](http://www.itu.int/rec/recommendation.asp?lang=en&parent=T-REC-Q.9-198811-I) ## External links - [http://www.3gpp.org](http://www.3gpp.org), [GSM 03.03 (see section 3.3)](https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/03_series/03.03/0303-4a0.zip) - [http://www.openmobilealliance.org](http://www.openmobilealliance.org) - [http://www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int), [E.164](http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.164/en), [E.212](http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.212/en), [E.213](http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.213/en), [E.214](http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.214/en) - [https://web.archive.org/web/20110222090438/http://www.gsmworld.com/](https://web.archive.org/web/20110222090438/http://www.gsmworld.com/) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MSISDN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSISDN) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSISDN?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.