IMEI
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Telecom
| Stands for | International Mobile Equipment Identity |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity, a telecom abbreviation.
Unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone and cellular device, used by networks to identify the handset and to block phones reported lost or stolen. Dialing *#06# displays it.
Example: Give the police your phone's IMEI so the carriers can block the stolen handset.
Usage notes
The first eight digits, the Type Allocation Code, identify the manufacturer and model; the next six are a serial number, and the last is a check digit calculated with the Luhn algorithm. Dual-SIM phones have two IMEIs. Changing an IMEI is illegal in many countries, including under the UK's Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002. The IMEI identifies the device, while the IMSI identifies the subscriber.
Related abbreviations
More telecom abbreviations
- GPS – Global Positioning System
- GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications
- GSMA – GSM Association
- HFC – Hybrid fiber-coaxial
- HSPA – High Speed Packet Access
- ICCID – Integrated Circuit Card Identifier
- IMS – IP Multimedia Subsystem
- IMSI – International Mobile Subscriber Identity
- ISDN – Integrated Services Digital Network
- IVR – Interactive voice response
- LEO – Low Earth orbit
- LTE – Long Term Evolution