Cell ID

What is a cell ID?

A cell ID is a unique identifier that is assigned to each cell tower, also known as a cell site or base station, in a wireless communication network. Cell towers are facilities that house the equipment used to provide wireless communication services to mobile devices within a specific geographic area, known as a cell.

Each cell tower is assigned a unique cell ID by the wireless carrier or network operator. The cell ID is used to identify the cell tower and distinguish it from other cell towers in the network. It is also used to route calls and data to and from the tower and to provide location information to mobile devices.

Schematic overview of MCC, MNC, LAC and Cell ID

Location by cell ID

Location by Cell ID is a technique used to determine the location of a mobile device by identifying the cell tower that the device is connected to. Cell towers, also known as cell sites or base stations, are facilities that house the equipment used to provide wireless communication services to mobile devices within a specific geographic area, known as a cell.

Mobile devices use radio signals to communicate with cell towers, and the strength and quality of the signal can be used to determine the distance between the device and the tower. By identifying the cell tower that a mobile device is connected to, it is possible to determine the approximate location of the device within the coverage area of the tower.

Location by Cell ID is commonly used in location-based services, such as maps and navigation apps, to determine the location of a mobile device. It is also used by mobile carriers to provide location information for emergency services, such as 911.

The accuracy of location by Cell ID can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the density of cell towers in the area and the quality of the radio signal. In general, the accuracy of location by Cell ID is lower than other methods, such as GPS or Wi-Fi location, but it can still be useful in cases where these methods are not available or are not accurate enough.

Location of your SIM card

Simbase uses the cell ID provided by the network to automatically determine the latitude and longitude of your device, which is then displayed on the map within the dashboard. Additionally, this information can also be obtained through our API.