Cell ID

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A Cell ID ( CID , Cell Identification , dt. Mobile cell ID ) is in the GSM network a unique identifier corresponding to a Base Transceiver Station is assigned (BTS). In other mobile radio networks such as UMTS , the CID together with the Location Area Code (LAC) uniquely identifies a spatial sector within a location area . The two- byte long identifier of the CID is used in GSM networks to technically enable the transfer of connections between mobile radio cells. It is set out in the specifications of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Together with the Mobile Network Code (MCC, MNC) and the Location Area Code (LAC), the CID becomes the globally unique Global Cell ID (GCID).

Some network operators use the CID in GSM networks in order to be able to uniquely assign a BTS to its antenna as well as the identifier. Due to the directional characteristics of the sector antennas usually used on mobile radio stations, more precise directional determinations about the location can be achieved with the information from only one mobile radio cell than would be possible with omnidirectional antennas. It is usual to use the last decimal place of the CID, which has the value '0' in BTS with omnidirectional antenna. In this case, no more precise resolution of the angle is possible. The digits '1', '2' and '3' are used in the BTS sector antennas, which usually comprise 120 °, to identify the respective sector antenna.

Coverage of the OpenCellID database as of the end of 2013

The Global Cell ID can be used with mobile devices apart from other technical possibilities such as GPS for precise location determination. In combination with databases which, in addition to the GCID, include and connect the spatial assignment, the location of a mobile radio device can be determined. Publicly accessible databases include Mozilla Location Service , as well as OpenCellID , which is under a free license and, as of the end of 2013, comprises over 4 million GCIDs worldwide, mainly from Europe and North America.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Cell ID query. Retrieved January 17, 2016 .
  2. ↑ ETSI: GSM 03.03, Numbering, addressing and identification. Retrieved January 1, 2014 .
  3. ↑ a b ETSI: 3G TS 29.002, Mobile Application Part (MAP) specification. Retrieved January 1, 2014 .
  4. ^ Mozilla Location Service. Retrieved January 30, 2015 .
  5. ↑ OpenCellID database. Retrieved January 1, 2014 .