Knowledge base

A PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) is a public mobile network within one country, provided by a specific operator, where a combination of wireless communication services are available. What does a PLMN consist of? A PLMN usually consists of different mobile technologies such as 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G. A PLMN is identified by a globally unique PLMN code, which consists of an MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network Code).

A Home Location Register (HLR) is a database that contains subscription information, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), the telephone number associated with the subscription (the MSISDN), the account status, and the last known location. The subscription information can be viewed in sim management systems of the different IoT connectivity forms (M2M, LTE M, NB-IOT).

Machine-to-machine (M2M), the communication technology in which devices can communicate with each other and share information. The communication is used for automated data transfer and measurement between mechanical or electronic devices.

LBS (location based services) offers the possibility to determine the location data of a device. The location is determined by means of the distance from the device to the transmission towers in the vicinity. For example, when a secured M2M or LTE M simcard sees three cell towers, a triangulation can be initiated to retrieve the location data. For LBS, no special hardware or software is required to determine the location data. The more cell towers there are in the vicinity, the more accurately the location data is calculated.

A PUK (personal unblocking key) code is a personal unlocking key that is linked to the device (hardware). The PUK code is required to unlock the device after entering an incorrect PIN code.

A Data Network Name (DNN) defines the point through which devices connect to the Internet. DNNs are connected to APNs in the GPRS network and LTE APNs in the LTE network. A DNN also determines whether a device uses a fixed or dynamic IP address.

A Communication Plan determines which services (DATA, SMS and VOICE) are available for a device, and which networks the device can use when roaming. A communication plan also defines the available data service identifiers (APNs and DNNs) and network segments that a device can use once a network connection is established. Each device has one communication plan. M2M often uses the SMS and VOICE services. With LTE M and NB-IOT, it is usually based on the DATA service only.

A Rate Plan determines the costs of network services (DATA, SMS and VOICE). Each device has one basic rate plan and any number of additional rate plans. Each rate plan specifies the subscription type (monthly vs. prepaid), included usage type (individual vs. pooled), subscription cost, included usage, overage charges, and zones (for example, with M2M simcards).

An International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), is a serial number that the manufacturer assigns to devices (hardware). Just as individuals have their own ID number and every car has a vehicle number, any device with a simcard can be accurately identified by an IMEI number.

An International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a unique number, usually 15 digits long, that identifies a user of a mobile network. The IMSI is usually available in the sim management system of the IoT connectivity. The exact format of the IMSI varies by mobile operator, but some things are always constant: IMSI: the constant factors The first 3 digits represent the Mobile Country Code (MCC). The next 2-3 digits represent the mobile network code (MNC, the mobile operator). The remaining 9-10 digits uniquely identify the subscriber within a particular mobile network. Some operators use the first two digits to indicate the home location register.

An MSISDN is a number that uniquely identifies a subscription in a mobile network (eg GSM, UMTS or LTE). Simply put, an MSISDN is the phone number for the IoT connectivity simcard in a connected device. The abbreviation has several interpretations, the most common being Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number.

An Integrated Circuit Card ID (ICCID) is a unique number, typically 19 characters long, that identifies an individual IoT connectivity simcard. The ICCID is the primary identifier for a device in a sim management system. The number is printed on the simcard. The format is as follows: ICCID format Major Industry Identifier (MII). This 2-digit number identifies the industry. “89” is used for telecommunications purposes. Country code. Variable length, 1-3 digits. Publisher identifier. Variable length depending on country or zone. Sim number. Variable length, depending on the publisher. One digit calculated from the other numbers using the Luhn formula.