IMEI

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique number used to identify a mobile station (MS). Identification is used to identify valid devices and ban devices that are lost or stolen from the network.

The IMEI is 15 of 16 decimal digits long. It consists of three parts. The first 8 digits, the Type Approval Code, are used to identify the model. The next 5 digits are a uniaue unique serial number for this type of device. This is followed by either a 1 digit control code or a 2 digit software version number.

The IMEI was introduced with GSM. As of GSM the indetification of the device and the subscriber are separated. A SIM card is used to identify the subscriber.

A GSM gives his IMEI if *#06# is typed in.