What is an MNC?
MNC stands for Mobile Network Code.
An MNC is a unique 2 – 3 digit code that identifies a mobile network operator (MNO) in a specific country.
Each mobile network has a different MNC for each country. Almost all mobile networks have more than one MNC in a country.
For example,
Vodafone has 2 MNCs in the UK, 91 and 15
In the US, AT&T has 10 MNCs
Why do most mobile networks have more than 1 MNC in a specific country?
The reason that mobile networks have more than one MNC is that companies frequently merge or are bought by other networks, so they adopt the previous network’s MNC. The commercial world of mobile carriers never stay still for long.
It all gets rather complicated and undoubtedly dull. Stay with me gang.
In total there are well over 2000 MNCs globally.
The US alone has 224 MNC numbers!
The UK has a more modest 55.
Please note that the MNC is not unique to the mobile network and different networks in different countries can share the same network code.
For example, all the mobile networks below share the same MNC, 11.
| Country | MNC | Mobile Carrier Name |
| Korea, South | 11 | Korea Cable Telecom(t-plus), Eco-mobile |
| Hong Kong (PRC) | 11 | China-Hong Kong Telecom |
| Cambodia | 11 | Excell |
| Taiwan | 11 | Chunghwa Telecom |
| Malaysia | 11 | TM Homeline |
| Australia | 11 | Telstra Corporation Ltd. |
| Indonesia | 11 | PT XL Axiata Tbk |
| Philippines | 11 | PLDT via ACeS Philippines |
| Brunei Darussalam | 11 | Data Stream Technology |
| American Samoa (US) | 11 | Bluesky |
| Ethiopia | 11 | Ethio Telecom |
| Tanzania | 11 | Smile Telecoms Holdings Ltd. |
| Uganda | 11 | Uganda Telecom Ltd. |
| South Africa | 11 | South African Police Service |
| Brazil | 11 | Vivo S.A. |
| Chile | 11 | Celupago SA |
| Satellite Networks | 11 | Inmarsat |
The codes themselves are assigned by the relevant regulator in each country.
MNCs in North America have 2 digits and in Europe they have 3.
The MNC code is used in conjunction with an MCC (mobile country code) to identify which mobile network operator (MNO) and country that a mobile phone user comes from.
What is the difference between MNC and MMC?
MNC is the Mobile Network Code and identifies a specific network in a country. MMC stands for Mobile Country Code and is a 3 digit number that identifies a specific country.
What is my MNC code?
Your MNC code can be identified by conducting an HLR lookup which provides a wealth of information on a specific mobile number.
The MNC is one of the data items that can be retrieved using an HLR lookup.
Complete list of MNC codes
If you would like to see the details (and why wouldn’t you), here is a complete list of MNC codes in Europe.
Wikipedia also lists MNCs in North America as well as other regions.
Related articles
Plenty where that came, if you can possibly bear it…
What is HLR lookup? This allows you to find out all kinds of information about a mobile phone number.
What is a MSISDN? This is essentially your mobile number but not quite.
What is MO and MT SMS? This is all about the difference between sending and receiving SMS
What is mobile number portability (MNP) This is about switching your mobile number from one supplier network to another
