Electronic Serial Numbers and MEID
Definition: An electronic serial number (ESN) is the unique identification number embedded or inscribed on the microchip in a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each time a call is placed, the ESN is automatically transmitted to the base station so the wireless carrier's mobile switching office can check the call's validity. The ESN cannot easily be altered in the field. The ESN differs from the mobile identification number, which is the wireless carrier's identifier for a phone in the network. MINs and ESNs can be electronically checked to help prevent fraud.
Mobile Equipment IDentifiers (MEID)
Definition: A Mobile Equipment IDentifier (MEID) is a globally unique number for a physical piece of mobile station equipment. Equipment identifiers are 'burned' into a device, and should be resistant to modification. An ESN type can be distinguished as a pseudo ESN (pESN) based on the first 8 bits ('manufacturer' code) as derived from the MEID using the SHA-1 algorithm to reduce a 56-bit MEID to a 24-bit ESN. The pESN codes are not unique, but will not match any UIMID or true ESN (tESN) because they have a unique manufacturer code of 0x80 (decimal 128). The ESN will migrate to the MEID with assignments anticipated to begin in the 2004 to 2005 timeframe.
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