IMSI stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is a globally unique identifier hardcoded into a SIM card and transmitted to the cellular network to authenticate the user and authorize services. The number consists of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, and a mobile subscriber identification number.
Heard on the job
Pull the IMSI from the billing system and make sure it matches the physical SIM we just provisioned.
Related terms
SIM
A Subscriber Identity Module card that authenticates a device on a cellular network.
Mobile station
The complete set of user equipment required to communicate with a cellular network.
Roam
To connect a mobile device to a network other than its home network.
GSM
Global System for Mobile communications is a standard for digital cellular networks.