International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs)
International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs) are needed to identify subscribers for mobile wireless and wire-based services pursuant to Recommendation ITU-T E.212. IMSIs are valid internationally and are structured as follows:
International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs) | ||
|---|---|---|
| IMSI block identifier 5 digits | Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) 10 digits | |
| Mobile Country Code (MCC) 3 digits Germany :262 | Mobile Network Code (MNC) 2 digits |
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The legal basis for the assignment and use of IMSIs is the IMSI Numbering Plan. It sets out the structure of the numbers, the purpose for which they are to be used, the basic principles of the application procedure and the conditions for using the numbers.
The IMSI Numbering Plan was first published on 6 April 2016 (Administrative Order No 16/2016, Official Gazette No 06/2016) and subsequently amended by various Administrative Orders. The following consolidated version incorporates all the amendments which have entered into force.
Nummernplan IMSI (konsolidierte, ab dem 09.05.2024 geltende Fassung) (pdf / 58 KB)
IMSIs for campus networks
The Bundesnetzagentur has been assigning spectrum in the 3,700-3,800 MHz band for private local mobile networks (campus networks) since November 2019. Link
The IMSI Numbering Plan is currently being revised to provide national numbering resources for these campus networks.
The Bundesnetzagentur is currently carrying out a public consultation on the draft amendment to the IMSI Numbering Plan. The draft amendment is based on the results of a previous consultation on various concepts for the use of IMSIs for private mobile networks. A summary and evaluation of the responses to that consultation was published on 12 May 2021. Communication No 163/2021(PDF/… KB)
The amendments being considered for the IMSI Numbering Plan envisage making one IMSI block available for shared use in campus networks and regulating as a supportive measure the assignment of two additional network codes: Closed Subscriber Group IDs (CSG IDs) and Tracking Area Codes (TACs).
The consultation also intends to explore the importance of further network codes (ECGI, GUMMEI and NID) for the operation of campus networks and what the Bundesnetzagentur needs to do with regards to the administration of these codes.
Stakeholders have until 9 June 2021 to respond in writing. Mitteilung Nr. 164/2021 (pdf / 26 KB) (in German)
Following a public consultation, the Bundesnetzagentur amended the numbering plan in 2020 to make available national IMSIs for campus networks implemented on the basis of a public mobile network (local implementations).
Results of the public consultation on the use of IMSIs for local implementations: Mitteilung Nr. 99/2020 (pdf / 311 KB)) (in German)
IMSIs for internal use in campus networks are now available without the need for applicationvia a global general assignment by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU has made the MCC 999 available for this purpose.
The Bundesnetzagentur offers inclusion in a list of uses of the MCC 999. The list provides campus network operators with information so they can avoid network interference by coordinating their use of network codes.
Communication in the Official Gazette - Mitteilung Nr. 100/2020 (in German)
Holders of frequency assignments (including for testing purposes) who use the MCC 999 in Germany are required to notify their use voluntarily using the form provided.
Formular (pdf / 514 KB) (in German)
Please return the completed form by email to mcc999info@bnetza.de.
IMSI assignments
Communication No 280/2016 includes a description of the application procedure for IMSIs and the application form to be used:
Application procedure for International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs) (pdf / 57 KB)
IMSIs assigned by the Bundesnetzagentur and those that are free again may be found in the following lists:
List of assigned IMSI blocks
IMSI blocks recovered through expiry
Under Recommendation ITU-T E.212, users requiring MNCs can apply directly to the ITU under certain conditions, as described in the Recommendation (in German).
List of all MNCs directly assigned by the ITU
List of all globally assigned MNCs
Information on the extra-territorial use of IMSIs may be found on the internet page on Numbers for machine-to-machinechine-to-Machine (M2M) communications.