The MCC and MNC are both essential components of the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). They are required to identify and locate a mobile device anywhere in the world.

What is an IMSI lookup?

An IMSI lookup is the process of obtaining an IMSI from a mobile phone number. The IMSI provides comprehensive information about the mobile operator and the subscriber.

A more detailed search on the network operator gives you access to the MCC and MNC database. It is possible to offer an IMSI lookup service using an HLR lookup service and by accessing the MCC and MNC databases.

Differences between MCC and MNC

The MCC (Mobile Country Code) is the country code for mobile devices. It is found at the beginning of any phone number preceded by a + sign. For example, the mobile country code for France is +33.

The MNC (Mobile Network Code) contains the name of the mobile phone operator, provided it belongs to a GSM, CDMA, UMTS, or LTE network, among others.

The Mobile Network Code (MNC) is a two-digit (North America) or three-digit (European standard) code used in combination with the Mobile Country Code (MCC) to uniquely identify a mobile network operator.

What is an MNC lookup?

An MNC lookup is part of a more comprehensive search called an HLR (Home Location Register) lookup. It allows you to determine the MCC and MNC. Service providers use this information for mobile number portability.

For example, if a number has been ported, the service provider will use the MCC and MNC to obtain the global title of the serving HLR. MCC and MNC lookups are useful for a service user who does not have access to the MNP database (mobile number portability database).

How do I find my MNC code?

The combination of the MCC and the MNC is called HNI (Home Network Identity) and corresponds to the combination of both into a single string.

For example, in France, the MCC is 208. Network operators then have their own MNCs. In this case, Bouygues Telecom has three: 20, 88, and 21.

In this case, an MCC of 208 and an MNC of 20 result in an HNI of 20820.

Combining the HNI with the MSIN (Mobile Subscriber Identification Number) gives you the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity).

Why is it important to know the MNC, HNI, and IMSI?

The MSIN is similar to standard mobile/telephone numbers, but it is not exactly the same thing.

In most countries, the MSIN is a 10-digit number derived from the mobile phone number. It consists of two different parts: the area code and the regional/mobile subscriber code.

The mobile number identifies the subscriber's directory number, an electronic serial number used to identify the phone number, whereas the MSIN is used to identify the subscriber. The use of the MSIN became widespread after the introduction of mobile number portability, as subscribers were able to switch from one provider to another, making the mobile/subscriber directory number a less reliable way to track subscribers.