Access Point Name

An Access Point Name (APN) is the name of a gateway[1] between a GSM, GPRS, 3G or 4G mobile network and another computer
network, frequently the publicInternet.

A mobile device making a data connection must be configured with an APN to present to the carrier. The carrier will then examine
this identifier to determine what type of network connection should be created, for example: which IP addresses should be assigned
to the wireless device, which security methods should be used, and how or if, it should be connected to some private customer
network.[2]

More specifically, the APN identifies the packet data network (PDN) that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. In addition
to identifying a PDN, an APN may also be used to define the type of service, (e.g. connection to Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP) server, Multimedia Messaging Service(MMS)) that is provided by the PDN. APN is used in 3GPP data access networks, e.g.
General Packet Radio Service(GPRS), evolved packet core (EPC).

Structure of an APN
A structured APN consists of two parts[3] as shown in the
accompanying figure.

Network Identifier: Defines the external network to which the Access Point Node structure
Gateway GPRS Support Node(GGSN) is connected.
Optionally, it may also include the service requested by the
user. This part of the APN is mandatory
Operator Identifier: Defines the specific operator’s packet domain network in which theGGSN is located. This part of
the APN is optional. The MCC is themobile country code and the MNC is the mobile network code which together
uniquely identify a mobile network operator .
Examples of APN are:

akbar01 (Note: This example APN uses adomain name from the DNS which belongs to the operator)
internet.t-mobile
internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs
rcomnet.mnc015.mcc405.gprs
internet (Note: This APN example does not contain an operator)
NXTGENPHONE (Note: Does not contain an operator , however in practice it isAT&T Mobility's LTE APN)
VZWINTERNET (Note: No operator, but the APN name clearly identifiesVerizon Wireless)
mobitel (Note: APN name clearly identifies operatorMobitel)

References
1. "What is an APN, and how do I change it?"(https://www.androidcentral.com/what-apn-and-how-do-i-change-it).
Android Central. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
2. "GSM cellular networks use an APN (Access Point Name) to determine how a mobile station, in this case a Digi
Connect WAN or RG" (http://ftp1.digi.com/support/documentation/appguide_connectcellular_ipconsiderations.pdf)
(PDF). Retrieved 2011-04-05.
3. 3GPP TS 23.003 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/23003.htm) Numbering, addressing and identification.

External links
APNChangeR, wiki for APN settings
Rutter, Thomas. "What the APN settings mean". Taming the Droid. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
 Stafuif writer (21 July 2013). "APN List for US, Canada, UK & Australia". APN Settings. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
Zachery, Omar (12 March 2013)."APN-FQDN Naming Structure". Award Solutions. Archived fromthe original on 14
March 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
APN Settings USA, APN settings for various mobile networks in United States.
APN.how, APN settings database for any mobile network, any mobile device in world.

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This page was last edited on 19 August 2018, at 08:27(UTC).

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