What is MCC and MNC in access point?

What is MCC and MNC in Access Point?

Today, let’s dive into the concepts of MCC and MNC in the context of mobile networks, particularly in how they relate to access points (AP). These two elements—MCC (Mobile Country Code) and MNC (Mobile Network Code)—play a crucial role in identifying mobile networks and are essential for connecting your device to the right network. Let me explain them to you in detail.

What is MCC?

The MCC (Mobile Country Code) is a three-digit code used to uniquely identify a country in the mobile network. Think of it as an identifier for the country where the network is based. When you connect to a mobile network, your device uses the MCC to ensure it connects to the right network in the correct country. This helps ensure that your device communicates properly with the right infrastructure, which is especially important when you’re roaming internationally.

What is MNC?

On the other hand, MNC (Mobile Network Code) is a two- or three-digit code that identifies a particular mobile network within the country. While the MCC tells your device which country you’re in, the MNC tells it which specific network you should connect to. This combination of MCC and MNC allows your device to recognize and latch onto the appropriate network, whether it’s a national carrier or a smaller regional provider.

Relationship between MCC and MNC

Now, let’s see how these two work together. The combination of the MCC and MNC is what uniquely identifies a particular mobile network, which is critical for your device’s ability to connect to the correct network. When you roam to a different country or switch between networks in your country, your device checks the MCC and MNC to determine the correct connection.

For example, if you’re traveling to another country and your device needs to roam, it will use the MCC to identify the country and the MNC to identify the network in that country. This makes the MCC and MNC a vital pair of codes for ensuring that you get connected to the correct access point.

How Does This Affect Access Points?

When we talk about access points, the MCC and MNC are part of the information that is sent to your device to establish the correct connection to a cellular network. An access point in this context is a point where your device can connect to the mobile network for data, voice, or SMS services. By correctly identifying the MCC and MNC, your device ensures it connects to the appropriate network and can access the internet or other services provided by the operator.

Example of MCC and MNC

Let me give you a simple example to make this clearer:

As shown in the table, each country and each network within that country has its own MCC and MNC. When your device needs to connect to a network, it references these codes to find the correct mobile network to latch onto.

Why is MCC and MNC Important?

Understanding MCC and MNC is essential because they form the foundation for your device’s ability to identify and connect to the correct network. Without these codes, your device would not be able to tell which country or which specific operator network to use, potentially leaving you without a connection when you move from one area to another, or especially when you travel internationally.

As we discussed in earlier articles, network identifiers like MCC and MNC are part of a broader system that enables seamless connectivity across the world. By knowing the correct MCC and MNC, your device is empowered to roam efficiently and access all the services offered by the network provider.