IMSI and ICCID Prefixes
GSM and 3G SIM cards are configured with two identifiers: an ICCID and an IMSI. The ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier) can be thought of as the serial number of the card itself whereas the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) is analagous to an account number for the mobile subscriber.
TIP: IMSI is pronounced “imzee” by those ‘in the know’!
Both the ICCID and IMSI include country and issuing network information, but unfortunately the same concept has been implemented differently in the two identifiers. This can be extremely confusing! The following tables are intended as an aide-memoire for quickly recalling the ICCID and IMSI prefixes used by different communications service providers.
NOTE: The two digit network code used in the ICCID is referred to as the Issuer Identification Number. The two or three digit network code used in the IMSI is referred to as the Mobile Network Code (which is preceded by a three digit Mobile Country Code)
This page is intended to complement the existing excellent resources at www.numberingplans.com and Wikipedia which we would strongly recommend that you bookmark too!
|
Country |
CSP |
ICCID Prefix |
IMSI Prefix (MCC + MNC) |
Notes |
|
UK |
Vodafone |
894410 |
23415 |
|
|
UK |
Orange |
894412 |
23433 |
|
|
UK |
3 |
894420 |
23420 |
|
|
UK |
T-Mobile |
894430 |
23430 |
|
|
UK |
Virgin Mobile (MVNO of T-Mobile) |
894430 |
23430 |
|
|
UK |
O2 |
894411 |
23410 |
|
|
UK |
Tesco Mobile |
894411 |
23410 |
|
|
UK |
Vectone Mobile |
894401 |
23401 |
This ICCID and IMSI prefix taken from an actual Vectone Mobile SIM and relates to Mapesbury Communications Ltd. However Vectone Mobile’s Wikipedia page indicates that they are an MVNO of T-Mobile! |
|
UK |
Talk Mobile |
894410 |
23415 |
|
|
UK |
Lebara |
894410 |
23415 |
|
|
UK |
Lyca Mobile |
894412 |
23433 |
This ICCID and IMSI prefix taken from an actual Lyca Mobile SIM. The Lyca Mobile Wikipedia page states that Lyca also uses the O2 network in the UK. |
|
UK |
Nomi Mobile |
894410 |
23415 |
|
|
UK |
ASDA Mobile |
894410 |
23415 |
|
|
UK (Jersey) |
Marathon Telecom Ltd |
894403 |
23428 |
|
|
UK |
IDT Mobile |
894412 |
23433 |
|
|
UK |
Mobile World |
894430 |
23430 |
|
|
UK |
giffgaff |
894411 |
23410 |
This ICCID and IMSI prefix taken from an actual giffgaff SIM |
|
Italy |
WorldSIM (Service Provider Name stored on card is ‘Global Roaming’) |
89234 |
22201 |
Although technically an Italian SIM, WorldSIM has been sold on British Airways flights and is targeted at UK customers. The card claims to include “Multi IMSI Technology” and offer both a UK and a US mobile number |
|
Liechtenstein |
SIM 4 Travel |
8942305 |
29505 |
Although technically a Liechtenstein SIM, SIM4Travel SIMs have previously been on sale in UK airports |
What are the iccid prefix for USA?
Corresponding to
imsi 310004 or 310005
Exhaustive interweb searching parameters reveals
890***
But I cannot find a grid of top USA carriers
890141 Cingular
The peoples cube will be amused
At least some US ICCIDs start 8901.
I have a T-Mobile (US) SIM starting 8901260
The IMSI starts 310260 which suggests that at least some of the providers are using the Mobile Network Code (MNC) as the Issuer Identifier Number (i.e. “carrier code”) in the ICCID (I assume “26″ in the case of T-Mobile). Sadly in the UK it’s not always the same code in both identifiers (i.e. MNC in IMSI uses one 2 digit identifier for Service Provider X whilst the ICCID for the same provider will use a different two digit identifier!)
And a quick web search for pictures of AT&T SIMs suggests that AT&T start 890141
http://www.sgbe.us/kc6ttr/mini9_sim.jpg
telna Mobile (USA) ICCIDs start with 891030 but IMSIs start with 310840