Mobile phones have become an integral part of our daily lives. Behind the seamless communication we enjoy lies a complex system of mobile networks, each identified by unique codes. In this article, we will dive into the world of Mobile Country Codes (MCC) and Mobile Network Codes (MNC), focusing on their significance in India.


What are MCC and MNC?

MCC and MNC are essential components of a mobile network’s identification system. Here’s a breakdown of what they represent:

  • Mobile Country Code (MCC): A three-digit code that uniquely identifies a country. It is used in combination with the MNC to identify a specific mobile network within that country.
  • Mobile Network Code (MNC): A two or three-digit code that uniquely identifies a mobile network operator within a country. It is used in conjunction with the MCC to form a unique identifier for a mobile network.

When combined, the MCC and MNC form the Home Network Identity (HNI), a single string that uniquely identifies a mobile network. For example, if the MCC is 404 and the MNC is 01, the resulting HNI would be 40401.


The Importance of MCC and MNC

MCC and MNC play a crucial role in various aspects of mobile communication:

  1. Network Identification: The combination of MCC and MNC allows mobile devices to identify and connect to the appropriate mobile network when roaming or switching between networks.
  2. Billing and Roaming: MCC and MNC are used by mobile operators to determine the origin and destination of calls and data usage, enabling accurate billing and roaming charges.
  3. Mobile Number Portability: MCC and MNC codes are essential for facilitating Mobile Number Portability (MNP), which allows users to switch mobile operators while retaining their existing phone numbers.

MCC and MNC in India

In India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) assigns MCC and MNC codes to mobile network operators. The MCC for India is 404 and 405. Each mobile operator is allocated a unique MNC within these MCCs.

Term Description
MCC Mobile Country Code – Identifies the country of the subscriber.
MNC Mobile Network Code – Identifies the operator within a country.
HNI Home Network Identity – A combination of MCC and MNC uniquely identifying a network.
MSIN Mobile Subscriber Identification Number – A unique number for each subscriber in the network.
IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity – A global identifier combining HNI and MSIN.

How These Codes Work

  1. Network Identification: MCC and MNC together form the HNI, which uniquely identifies a mobile network operator.
  2. Subscriber Identification: Combining HNI with MSIN results in IMSI, a globally unique subscriber identifier stored on SIM cards.

Example:

  • MCC: 404 (India)
  • MNC: 10 (Operator: Airtel in Delhi & NCR)
  • HNI: 40410 (Network ID)
  • IMSI: 40410 + MSIN (Unique subscriber ID)

Why Are MCC and MNC Codes Important?

  • Seamless Roaming: Enable network identification when subscribers travel internationally.
  • Troubleshooting: Assist in diagnosing network issues and configuring devices.
  • IoT and M2M Applications: Essential for eSIM-based devices and machine-to-machine communications.
  • Mobile Development: Used in telecom systems and applications requiring precise network identification.

MCC and MNC Codes for Indian Mobile Operators

Below is a detailed list of MCC and MNC codes for Indian operators, covering regions served by Airtel, Jio, BSNL, Vi, and others.

MCC MNC Operator & Region
404 01 Vi India – Haryana
404 02 AirTel – Punjab
404 03 AirTel – Himachal Pradesh
404 05 Vi India – Gujarat
404 07 Vi India – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
404 09 Reliance – Assam
404 10 AirTel – Delhi & NCR
404 11 Vi India – Delhi & NCR
404 14 Vi India – Punjab
404 15 Vi India – Uttar Pradesh (East)
404 16 AirTel – North East
404 18 Reliance – Himachal Pradesh
404 20 Vi India – Mumbai
404 22 Vi India – Maharashtra & Goa
404 30 Vi India – Kolkata
404 31 AirTel – Kolkata
404 34 BSNL Mobile – Haryana
404 38 BSNL Mobile – Assam
404 40 AirTel – Chennai
404 43 Vi India – Tamil Nadu
404 45 AirTel – Karnataka
404 46 Vi India – Kerala
404 49 AirTel – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
404 50 Reliance – North East
404 51 BSNL Mobile – Himachal Pradesh
404 52 Reliance – Odisha
404 53 BSNL Mobile – Punjab
404 54 BSNL Mobile – Uttar Pradesh (West)
404 55 BSNL Mobile – Uttar Pradesh (East)
404 56 Vi India – Uttar Pradesh (West)
404 57 BSNL Mobile – Gujarat
404 58 BSNL Mobile – Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
404 59 BSNL Mobile – Rajasthan
404 60 Vi India – Rajasthan
404 62 BSNL Mobile – Jammu & Kashmir
404 64 BSNL Mobile – Chennai
404 66 BSNL Mobile – Maharashtra & Goa
404 68 MTNL – Delhi & NCR
404 69 MTNL – Mumbai
404 70 AirTel – Rajasthan
404 71 BSNL Mobile – Karnataka (Bangalore)
404 72 BSNL Mobile – Kerala
404 73 BSNL Mobile – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
404 74 BSNL Mobile – West Bengal
404 75 BSNL Mobile – Bihar
404 76 BSNL Mobile – Odisha
404 77 BSNL Mobile – North East
404 78 Vi India – Madhya Pradesh & Chattishgarh
404 79 BSNL Mobile – Andaman Nicobar
404 80 BSNL Mobile – Tamil Nadu
404 81 BSNL Mobile – Kolkata
404 82 Vi India – Himachal Pradesh
404 83 Reliance – Kolkata
404 85 Reliance – West Bengal
404 86 Vi India – Karnataka
404 90 AirTel – Maharashtra
404 92 AirTel – Mumbai
404 93 AirTel – Madhya Pradesh
404 94 AirTel – Tamil Nadu
404 95 AirTel – Kerala
404 96 AirTel – Haryana
404 97 AirTel – Uttar Pradesh (West)
404 98 AirTel – Gujarat
405 03 Reliance – Bihar
405 04 Reliance – Chennai
405 05 Reliance – Delhi & NCR
405 06 Reliance – Gujarat
405 07 Reliance – Haryana
405 08 Reliance – Himachal Pradesh
405 09 Reliance – Jammu & Kashmir
405 10 Reliance – Karnataka
405 11 Reliance – Kerala
405 12 Reliance – Kolkata
405 13 Reliance – Maharashtra & Goa
405 14 Reliance – Madhya Pradesh
405 15 Reliance – Mumbai
405 17 Reliance – Odisha
405 18 Reliance – Punjab
405 19 Reliance – Rajasthan
405 20 Reliance – Tamil Nadu
405 21 Reliance – Uttar Pradesh (East)
405 22 Reliance – Uttar Pradesh (West)
405 23 Reliance – West Bengal
405 51 AirTel – West Bengal
405 52 AirTel – Bihar & Jharkhand
405 53 AirTel – Odisha
405 54 AirTel – Uttar Pradesh (East)
405 55 AirTel – Jammu & Kashmir
405 56 AirTel – Assam
405 67 Vi India – West Bengal
405 70 Vi India – Bihar & Jharkhand
405 750 Vi India – Jammu & Kashmir
405 751 Vi India – Assam
405 753 Vi India – Odisha
405 755 Vi India – North East
405 840 Jio – West Bengal
405 854 Jio – Andhra Pradesh
405 855 Jio – Assam
405 856 Jio – Bihar
405 857 Jio – Gujarat
405 858 Jio – Haryana
405 859 Jio – Himachal Pradesh
405 860 Jio – Jammu & Kashmir
405 861 Jio – Karnataka
405 862 Jio – Kerala
405 863 Jio – Madhya Pradesh
405 864 Jio – Maharashtra
405 865 Jio – North East
405 866 Jio – Odisha
405 867 Jio – Punjab
405 868 Jio – Rajasthan
405 869 Jio – Tamil Nadu (incl. Chennai)
405 870 Jio – Uttar Pradesh (West)
405 871 Jio – Uttar Pradesh (East)
405 872 Jio – Delhi
405 873 Jio – Kolkata
405 874 Jio – Mumbai

Global Context: MCC and MNC Codes Beyond India

MCC and MNC codes are not unique to India; every country has its own codes. For example:

  • USA: MCC is 310, and MNC for AT&T is 410.
  • UK: MCC is 234, and MNC for Vodafone UK is 15.

This comparison highlights how these codes are part of a standardized global system.


Applications in Modern Technology

  • 5G Networks: MCC and MNC codes will play a significant role in the deployment and management of 5G networks.
  • eSIM Technology: With eSIMs, these codes are vital for identifying networks and ensuring seamless connectivity.
  • IoT and Smart Devices: As IoT grows, these codes help devices connect to their respective networks efficiently.

Future of MCC and MNC Codes in India

With the rapid expansion of 5G and new telecom technologies, India’s MCC and MNC structure might evolve. These changes will ensure better connectivity, faster speeds, and support for billions of connected devices.


Practical Tips

  • Developers: Use MCC/MNC codes for testing applications requiring network identification.
  • Users: Troubleshoot connectivity issues by verifying the correct MCC/MNC codes for your region.
  • Businesses: IoT companies can use these codes to set up device configurations for India-specific networks.

Conclusion

MCC and MNC codes is important for anyone working in or using telecom technologies. Whether you’re a developer, a telecom enthusiast, or a regular mobile user, knowing these codes can help you better navigate the mobile connectivity landscape.

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