GSMA Device Database
Direct access to the mobile device data you need for device validation, device analytics, network optimisation and more.
With over 10,000 device models launched every year, keeping track of accurate mobile device data is highly complex. GSMA Device Database lets you identify the manufacturer and model, as well as other characteristics of a mobile device, from the unique TAC (Type Allocation Code) number – the first 8 digits of a mobile device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier).
Where does the data come from?
The GSMA issues the TAC used to uniquely identify mobile device models, which all devices require. Then the device manufacturer adds a further 7 digits to produce the IMEI (identifying the unique device, not just the model). During this process, the GSMA collects and stores data from all device manufacturers, which is collated to create the GSMA Device Database. Significantly, this is updated by manufacturers in real-time, so the data is always accurate.
For example:
- Identifying the type of device in use by its TAC or IMEI, to offer appropriate services or customer offers
- Helping in remote management of devices for software and configuration
- Clarifying network resource usage by device
- Identifying operating systems
- Ensuring devices are legitimately registered by the true manufacturer
- Identifying eSIM-enabled devices for remote provisioning
GSMA Device Database also provides more in-depth data for 4G and 5G-enabled devices, in terms of their connection capabilities.
For instance:
- Uplink/downlink speeds, so you know which devices can support super-fast speeds
- MIMO support (Multiple Input Multiple Output) identifies a device’s capability to support multiple simultaneous connections
- QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) levels identify the data density within the bandwidth. So you can see the connections the device can support. This data can show if a device is slow on your network because it hasn’t got the right QAM combination. Therefore, it can’t use the extra capacity that’s there
- Carrier Aggregation Bands identify whether the device can support more bandwidth to the connection, in the form of additional frequency blocks
These data attributes enable improved capacity planning, based on the proportion of subscriber devices supporting the different technologies. As well as real-time adjustments to capacity, based on devices’ capabilities.
