Type Allocation Code
Encyclopedia
The Type Allocation Code (TAC) is the initial eight-digit
portion of the 15-digit IMEI
code used to uniquely identify wireless
devices.
The Type Allocation Code identifies a particular model (and often revision) of wireless telephone for use on a GSM, UMTS or other IMEI-supporting wireless network.
The first two digits of the TAC are the Reporting Body Identifier
. This indicates the GSMA-approved group that allocated the TAC.
Prior to April 1, 2004, the global standard for the IMEI started with a six-digit Type Approval Code followed by a two-digit Final Assembly Code (FAC).
The Type Approval Code (also known as TAC) indicated that the particular device was approved by a national GSM approval body and the FAC identified the company that had built and assembled the device (which is not always the same as the brand name stamped on the device).
Effective on that date, many GSM member nations and entities (mainly Europe
) moved away from requiring that devices be approved by national bodies, and towards a system where device manufacturers self-regulate the device market. As a result, a manufacturer now simply requests an eight-digit Type Allocation Code for a new phone model from the international GSM standards body, instead of submitting a device for approval to a national review body.
Both the old and new TAC uniquely identify a model of phone, although some models may have more than one code, depending on revision, manufacturing location, and other factors.
Numerical digit
A digit is a symbol used in combinations to represent numbers in positional numeral systems. The name "digit" comes from the fact that the 10 digits of the hands correspond to the 10 symbols of the common base 10 number system, i.e...
portion of the 15-digit IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity
The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a number, usually unique, to identify GSM, WCDMA, and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone...
code used to uniquely identify wireless
Wireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
devices.
The Type Allocation Code identifies a particular model (and often revision) of wireless telephone for use on a GSM, UMTS or other IMEI-supporting wireless network.
The first two digits of the TAC are the Reporting Body Identifier
Reporting Body Identifier
The Reporting Body Identifier is the first two digits of a GSM Type Allocation Code, and indicates the GSMA-approved organization that registered a given mobile device, and allocated the model a unique code....
. This indicates the GSMA-approved group that allocated the TAC.
Prior to April 1, 2004, the global standard for the IMEI started with a six-digit Type Approval Code followed by a two-digit Final Assembly Code (FAC).
The Type Approval Code (also known as TAC) indicated that the particular device was approved by a national GSM approval body and the FAC identified the company that had built and assembled the device (which is not always the same as the brand name stamped on the device).
Effective on that date, many GSM member nations and entities (mainly Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
) moved away from requiring that devices be approved by national bodies, and towards a system where device manufacturers self-regulate the device market. As a result, a manufacturer now simply requests an eight-digit Type Allocation Code for a new phone model from the international GSM standards body, instead of submitting a device for approval to a national review body.
Both the old and new TAC uniquely identify a model of phone, although some models may have more than one code, depending on revision, manufacturing location, and other factors.
Type Allocation Codes
| TACs | Manufacturer | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 01/124500 | Apple | iPhone |
| 01/130000 | Apple | iPhone |
| 01/136400 | Apple | iPhone |
| 01/154600 | Apple | iPhone |
| 01/161200 | Apple | iPhone 3G |
| 01/193400 | Apple | iPhone 3G |
| 01/180800 | Apple | iPhone 3G model MB704LL |
| 01/181200 | Apple | iPhone 3G model MB496B |
| 01/174400 | Apple | iPhone 3G model MB496RS |
| 01/194800 | Apple | iPhone 3GS |
| 01/216100 | Apple | iPhone 3GS |
| 01/226800 | Apple | iPhone 3GS |
| 01/215900 | Apple | iPhone 3GS model MC131B |
| 01/241700 | Apple | iPhone 4 |
| 01/233800 | Apple | iPhone 4 model MC610LL |
| 01/233700 | Apple | iPhone 4 model MC603B |
| 01/243000 | Apple | iPhone 4 model MC603KS |
| 350151 | Nokia | 3330 |
| 449337 | Nokia | 6210 |
| 35/685702 | Nokia | 6300 |
| 35/739804 | Nokia | N8 |
| 35/693803 | Nokia | N900 |
| 35/788104 | Nokia | N950 |
| 35/238402 | Sony Ericsson | K770i |
| 35/3578/00 | Samsung | SGH-A800 |
| 35/837501 | XDA | Orbit 2 |
| 35/9721/00 | Lobster | 544 |
External links
- 3GPP Change Request re Type Allocation Code
- Identify phone and manufacturer by TAC
- Public TAC Database - can download the entire database
- Nokia TAC Database - mobile identification
- Identify phone model and manufacturer by IMEI or TAC - mobile identification
- IMEI application for mobile: Freeware for Java supported mobile phones to find phone model and manufacturer for entered IMEI number.