What is MCC?
MCC (Mobile Country Code) is a three-digit code that uniquely identifies a country or territory within the global mobile numbering system. Together with the MNC (Mobile Network Code), the MCC forms the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) identity used to identify a specific mobile network operator worldwide. The MCC is the first component of both the IMSI (stored on the SIM) and the PLMN ID broadcast by base stations, enabling devices to identify and select the correct network.
How Does MCC Work?
MCCs are assigned by the ITU and stored in ITU-T Recommendation E.212. Examples include 310-316 for the United States, 234 for the United Kingdom, 604 for Morocco, 208 for France, and 262 for Germany. When a UE powers on, it scans for available networks and reads the MCC+MNC broadcast in the System Information. The UE compares these against the HPLMN (Home PLMN) stored on the SIM to determine whether it is on its home network or roaming. The MCC is also used for emergency call routing, PLMN selection algorithms, and inter-operator roaming agreements.
Use Cases
Network identification and selection, international roaming, PLMN scanning and selection, regulatory identification of operators, and mobile number portability systems.
3GPP / Standards Reference
ITU-T E.212 (International identification plan for mobile terminals), 3GPP TS 23.003 (Numbering, addressing and identification), 3GPP TS 24.008 (PLMN selection)
Related Terms
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