Access Point Name

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Access point name (APN) is the name used to identify a general packet radio service (GPRS) bearer service in the GSM mobile network. The APN defines the type of service that is provided in the packet data connection.

An APN service may include:

• An IPv4 or IPv6 connection to the public internet.
• A connection to a wireless application protocol (WAP) gateway to present translated internet pages.
• A bearer service for the delivery of short message service (SMS) messages or multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages.

When a GPRS mobile phone sets up a PDP context, the access point is selected. At this point an access point name is determined.

Example: bigcompany.mnc012.mcc345.gprs

Example: internet

Example: mywap

This access point is then used in a DNS query to a private DNS network. This process (called APN resolution) finally gives the IP address of the GGSN which should serve the access point. At this point a PDP context can be activated.

The APN DNS record is in the form of apn.mnc(Network Code).mcc(Country Code).gprs. The numbering is defined by ITU-T E.212.

[edit] APN

An APN identifies an external network that is accessible from a mobile terminal. An APN has several attributes associated with it that define how it can access the external network at that point.

In most cellular networks there are two types of APNs:

1. the more usual WAP APN, enabling access to the default WAP content (or the operator's walled garden)
2. Internet or web APN, which enables access to all content.

The WAP APN normally filters non-WAP content by traffic, ports or volume. The Internet/Web APN is normally unfiltered and often the operator will charge a higher tariff for it. Handhelds, laptops and smartphones normally need to use the Internet/web APN when using applications or HTML browser

[edit] See also

• General packet radio service - a packet oriented Mobile Data Service available to users of 2G & 3G GSM systems.
• GPRS core network

[edit] External links

• 3GPP TS 27.060 Packet domain; Mobile Station (MS) supporting Packet Switched services
• 3GPP TS 23.060 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description
• ITU-T E.212 Number Lookup
• Service Provider Database and the associated Access Library
• Analysis of SIM card numbers
• Link to a list of known APN settings around the world
• Link to a list of known APN settings around the world
• Link to a list of known APN settings in Europe