NETWORK COMPONENTS

SIM
The SIM is a removable card that plugs into the ME.
It identifies the mobile subscriber and provides information about the
service that the subscriber should receive.
The SIM contains several pieces of information
International Mobile Subscribers Identity ( IMSI ) - This number
identifies the mobile subscriber. It is only transmitted over the air
during initialising.
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity ( TMSI ) - This number also
identifies the subscriber. It can be alternatively used by the
system. It is periodically changed by the system to protect the
subscriber from being identified by someone attempting to monitor
the radio interface.
Location Area Identity ( LAI ) - Identifies the current location of the
subscriber.
Subscribers Authentication Key ( Ki ) - This is used to authenticate
the SIM card.
Mobile Station International Standard Data Number ( MSISDN ) -

NETWORK COMPONENTS
SIM
Most of the data contained within the SIM is protected against reading
(eg Ki ) or alterations after the SIM is issued.
Some of the parameters ( eg. LAI ) will be continously updated to
reflect the current location of the subscriber.
The SIM card can be protected by use of Personal Identity Number
( PIN ) password.
The SIM is capable of storing additional information such as
accumulated call charges.
FULL SIZE SIM CARD

GSM

MINI SIM CARD

NETWORK COMPONENTS
Mobile Station International Subscribers Dialling Number ( MSISDN ) :
Human identity used to call a MS
The Mobile Subscriber ISDN (MSISDN) number is the telephone
number of the MS.
This is the number a calling party dials to reach the subscriber.
It is used by the land network to route calls toward the MSC.

CC

NDC

SN

98

XXX

12345

CC = Country code
NDC = National Destination Code
SN = Subscriber Number

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Equipment Identity Register ( EIR )

EIR
White List

Grey List

Black List

All Valid
assigned IDs

Service allowed
but noted

Service denied

Range 1
Range 2

MS IMEI 1
MS IMEI 2

MS IMEI 1
MS IMEI 2

Range n

MS IMEI n

MS IMEI n

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International Mobile Equipment Identity ( IMEI ) :
IMEI is a serial number unique to each mobile
Each MS is identified by an International Mobile station Equipment
Identity (IMEI) number which is permanently stored in the Mobile
Equipment.
On request, the MS sends this number over the signalling channel to the
MSC.
The IMEI can be used to identify MSs that are reported stolen or
operating incorrectly.

TAC

FAC

SNR

SP

TAC
FAC
SNR
SP

=
=
=
=

Type Approval Code

Final Assembly Code
Serial Number
Spare

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HOME LOCATION REGISTER( HLR )
The HLR contains the master database of all subscribers in the PLMN.
This data is remotely accessed by the MSCs and VLRs in the network.
The data can also be accessed by an MSC or a VLR in a different
PLMN to allow inter-system and inter-country roaming.
A PLMN may contain more than one HLR, in which case each HLR
contains a portion of the total subscriber database. There is only one
database record per subscriber.
The subscribers data may be accessed by the IMSI or the MSISDN.
The parameters stored in HLR are
Subscribers ID (IMSI and MSISDN )
Current subscriber VLR.
Supplementary services subscribed to.
Supplementary services information (eg. Current forwarding
address ).
Authentication key and AUC functionality.
TMSI and MSRN