Device attribute data

What is device attribute data?

Information to identify and validate devices, such as the manufacturer, model, hardware information, operating system, IoT type, frequency bands supported and band performances.

Where does the data come from?

The TAC (Type Allocation Code) which forms the first 8 digits of a mobile device’s unique 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier). As the industry-authorised allocators of TAC, our datasets are always accurate because they are based on the information we receive from all device manufacturers globally in real time.

You can access this device attribute data through either GSMA Device Database or GSMA Device Map. Get in touch to find out which best suits your business objectives.

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Why is it important for your business?

With over 10,000 device models launched every year, coupled with the diversity of connected devices, keeping track of them is highly complex, yet even more crucial than ever before. After all, how can you ensure optimal customer experiences, regulatory frameworks or diagnostics if you don’t have detailed information on the devices in question?

Powerful business insights

Gain greater business intelligence through improved operational metrics and advanced analytics.

Smoother rollouts

Plan the rollout of new technologies and network upgrades more effectively, with a better understanding of device capabilities.

Enhanced capacity planning

Identify devices and their capabilities to spot usage patterns and make real-time adjustments.

Improved customer satisfaction
and ROI

Develop more effective marketing and customer support based on the characteristics and capabilities of customers’ devices.

Practical examples of what it can do

Find out how device attribute data can be used across different business applications, departments and industries.

Device management

Device attributes are increasingly complex to track and manage, as many different device types are being launched and the growth of device circularity means recycling and repairs are happening much more often.

Device attribute data helps by enabling you to identify the device type, including the manufacturer, model, marketing and brand name
Validate a device by confirming if it matches what’s been registered by the true manufacturer
Determine an accurate device valuation for recycling or insurance purposes

Network management and band planning

During this time of sunsetting old network technologies and implementing new ones, it’s even more important to understand the capabilities of a device to efficiently manage networks and end customers.

Device attribute data helps you identify devices that need to be upgraded
Identify usage patterns and device capabilities, including MIMO support, QAM density and CA for real-time performance adjustments
Validate that customers’ subscriptions meet their device capabilities

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Customer support and targeting

A better understanding of the devices customers are using leads to greater insights into what they need, the ways to help them and how you can keep them.

Improve target marketing with device identification, by enabling more effective offers and price plans
Empower your customer support team through real-time device feature identification of customers’ devices, for more effective troubleshooting
Reduce churn through better device portfolio management, ensuring upgrades are timely and customers get the right experience based on their device

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IoT and M2M identification

When it comes to IoT and M2M devices, many of them are being used in critical situations, requiring high availability. Therefore, it is essential they are accurately and easily identifiable.

Increase IoT and M2M insights to help ensure correct subscription tariffs are in place
Understand the purpose of a device when connecting to your network, eliminating guesswork – e.g., know if it’s a gateway, a car or an alarm sensor

TAC Data Challenge

Help make GSMA TAC data even more accurate, with a quick and easy way to report a TAC data error from the GSMA Terminal Steering Group (TSG).

All organisations who have access to our device intelligence can play their part.

Download and complete the TAC Data Challenge form and return it to [email protected] for processing. There are some useful guidelines to follow on the first page of the form. Read the policy that is in place to manage this activity. 

Make a challenge