SIM cards are integral to telecommunication as is evident by the number of SIM cards currently active on the globe. However, they are equally important in IoT devices that need an internet connection to function. Hence, there is a need to differentiate these SIM cards and since IoT devices can’t make phone calls, the only respite a user has is the SSN or the SIM Serial Number. But what is a SIM Serial Number, where can one find it? Or how to recognize this number? The following article has all these answers and more.
Table of Contents
What is ICCID?
ICCID stands for Integrated Circuit Card Identifier, and every SIM card has a unique one. It consists of a set of 18 to 22 numeric characters that should not be confused with the IMEI number. An IMEI is a unique identification number of your mobile device, while this one is a unique identification number of your SIM card. Most consumers never care about the SIM card’s ICCID number, as it is rarely useful for them unless there is a technical error.
In case of technical issues, the technician or your service provider takes help from the ICCID number. That’s why most users don’t even pay attention to this number. In fact, for them, it’s just a series irrelevant of numbers. But no information on your SIM card is useless. The ICCID number also has its uses. In the following sections, you will learn about it in great detail.
Where can I find the ICCID number?
As we have previously established the importance of the ICCID, it is time to explain where one can find it. There are several ways to find an ICCID, such as:
1. Using AT Commands
If you are using the SIM in an IoT device or application, then you can access your ICCID from the system using AT commands. Although every service provider has a different command, there are still a few universal commands that should work across different devices.
2. On your SIM card packaging
However, you don’t have to go through all that hassle if you still have your original SIM card packaging, as it has the ICCID printed on it. Then there is the SIM tray, which also carries the ICCID. And some manufacturers even print it on the plastic body of the SIM.
3. Via your smartphones
Finally, you can always use your mobile device to look up the ICCID. All you have to do is go to your device’s settings and click on the About section. After that, tap on Status and click SIM Status. Here you will find the SSN or the ICCID.
In short
The 18 to 22-digit ICCID number is mostly printed on your SIM card, no matter what company it belongs to. You may also find it printed on the package/kit that you snap your SIM card out of. All the SIM card packets have this number printed on them too, along with the bar code and MSISDN number (your phone number). If you don’t want to bother to look at the ICCID number on the SIM card or its packet, then you may also find it in the Settings menu of your device in which the SIM card is inserted.
More about ICCID number
As already mentioned, an ICCID is a string of 18 to 22 characters. These numbers are divided into four sets. The first two digits are always 89 in every ICCID number. This is an industry code that signifies that this product belongs to the telecommunications industry. The next one to six digits belongs to the country code. These country codes are defined by the International Telecommunications Union. For example, if the SIM card belongs to the US or Canada, then the country code will be 1. If it belongs to India, the country code will be 91.
The next one to four digits after the country code belong to the mobile network code (MNC). This code is of the mobile operator to which the SIM belongs. For example, if the code is 004, it belongs to Verizon Wireless. In the same way, every telecom operator has its unique one to four digits code. The final set of remaining digits is unique to each SIM card. This marks the identity of your SIM card as entirely different from any other SIM card in the world. This allows you to view a specific SIM in the SIM manager, interact with your service provider’s customer support team, cancel or activate service on your SIM, and more.
How service providers use ICCID numbers
Once you enter your SIM card into the device to use cellular connectivity, the SIM card starts searching for cellular networks. After it detects available ones, it uses ICCID and IMSI number to know if the device has the right to access the cellular network it has detected. If all goes well, you can use the cellular services, otherwise, you can only call emergency numbers.
ICCID number is useful to identify your SIM among all the existing SIM cards. No SIM card comes without such a number, whether it is a physical SIM card or an embedded SIM. It is also important to understand the differences between distinct kinds of numbers associated with a SIM card like MSISDN, IMSI, ICCID, and so on. You can get more information about the uses of a SIM card to better understand the topic.
Is it different than a SSN?
SSN is SIN Serial Number, but it is also known by a different name, ICCID which stands for Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. It is a unique 19 to 20-digit number that offers a lot of information to the user. You can typically find an ICCID stamped on the SIM card’s plastic tray or the packaging.
What is the use of an ICCID?
Although many people disregard the serial number found on a SIM card, we have to tell you it’s untrue, as ICCID is crucial, especially for IoTs. When you are deploying an IoT application, you need to know the associated ICCID as it is the main identifier of your SIM. Hence, if you are using your IoT for telecommunication, if you want to manage your SIM via an online portal, if you want to reach out to your service provider to raise any queries, or even if you want to look up your network status, you will need the ICCID on hand.
Explaining the structure of an ICCID:
Now that we know the importance of an ICCID, we have to learn what secrets it is hiding. Jokes aside, the structure of an ICCID offers a lot of information when broken down. An ICCID is made up of 19 to 20 numbers and divided into 5 segments, all of which provide certain information. Here’s how the SSN is conscripted:
ICCID = MII + CC + IIN + IAIN + C
Thus, you can gain the following information from an ICCID:
Major Industry Identifier (MII)
The initial two digits of the ICCID are an identifier of the relevant industry, which is telecommunications for SIMs. Hence, you will always find 89 as the first two numbers on a SIM, which denotes its relevant industry use.
Country Code (CC)
The next 1 to 3 digits represent the country the SIM is meant for; thus, it shows the country code of the nation. Take the UK, for example. Its country code is 44, so the ICCID will be 20 digits, but if it is for Canada, then the code becomes 1 and the ICCID falls one digit short to 19. Incidentally, the country code can also be 3 digits long, like 354, which is the code for Ireland.
Issuer Identifier Number (IIN)
Then comes the IIN, or issuer Identifier Number, which represents the service provider of the SIM. Typically, IIN is made up of 2 digits, but in some cases, even 3 numbers are used.
Individual Account Identification Number (IAIN)
The rest of the numbers, except the Checksum, form the IAIN for the SIM. It is a unique modifier that represents the user in the service provider’s records. Furthermore, IAIN is also used to differentiate IoT SIMs from the rest, which makes it easier to activate and locate them remotely, anywhere on the planet.
Checksum (C)
Finally, we have Checksum, which makes up the last segment of an ICCID. It is a key that is used to validate SIM use. The Checksum is created using the other digits from the ICCID using the Luhn algorithm.
Dont confuse ICCID with the following:
Although ICCID is crucial and available on the SIM, there are still other pieces of information and numbers there. When looking for the ICCID, many people mistakenly believe these numbers to be the correct ones. Hence, we have included the other numbers you might find on the SIM card.
IMSI
IMSI is also a unique number present on a SIM card. It stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity and is 15 digits long. IMSI is used to recognize the network carrier that provides a cellular network to the subscriber. Thus, it is used to register, identify, and track the subscriber of the mobile connection.
IMEI
Next comes the IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, which is used to uniquely identify the device on which the SIM is active. Every device has a unique code, and when you change SIMs, the relevant IMEI is stored on them to facilitate services accordingly. Why can’t a CDMA device function with a GSM SIM? Because the SIM and device have a conflict that is conveyed by the IMEI.
MSISDN
And finally, we have the MSISDN or the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number. In layman term, it is your phone number.
