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 |
EE |
894430 |
23430 |
|
|
UK |
Virgin Mobile (MVNO of T-Mobile) |
894430 |
23430 | |
|
UK |
O2 |
894411 |
23410 |
|
|
UK |
Tesco Mobile |
894411 |
23410 |
|
|
UK |
mobile by Sainsbury’s (MVNO of Vodafone) |
894410 |
23415 |
This ICCID and IMSI prefix taken from an actual mobile by Sainbury’s SIM. |
|
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 |