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Understanding of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. The IMEI is a unique 15-digit code used to identify an individual GSM mobile telephone to a mobile network. The IMEI can be displayed on most phones by dialing the code *#06#. It is also usually printed on the compliance plate under the battery. The numerical format of the IMEI code is: 111111-22-333333-4. This format will be in place until April 1st 2004.
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TAC: type approval code FAC : final assembly code SNR: serial number CD: check digit
The TAC (Type Approval Code) is formed by the first six digits of the IMEI. This code identifies the country in which type approval was sought for the phone, as well as the approval number. NOTE: From 1st April 2004 the TAC will be the abbreviation for Type Allocation Code. The FAC (Final Assembly Code)identifies the company that produced the mobile phone (for instance: Sony-Ericsson or Nokia). The SNR (Serial Number) is a six digit code, which has been uniquely assigned to the specific type of handset. The CD (Check Digit) is used to check the IMEI for its validity for Phase 2 and Phase 2+ handsets. Phase 1 GSM handsets, however, always have zero (0) as check digit. NOTE: From 1st January 2003 a new IMEI allocation procedure is in place. The changes relate to the format of the IMEI; the Final Assembly Code (FAC) will be obsolete and be set to 00 for the period from 1st January 2003 until 1st April 2004. After that the FAC will be obsolete, and the TAC will be eight digits in stead of six digits. The numerical format of the IMEI code will then be: 11111111-222222-3: