The TAC (Type Allocation Code) is an eight digit code which uniquely recognizes a cellular device's hardware configuration. It is issued by the GSMA and makes up the first eight digits of the IMEI serial number. In this article we provide a sample of different TAC numbers and identify a connection between TAC and DeviceAtlas datasets.

TAC database

TACs were introduced as a means of identifying a particular device make & model. The first TAC was allocated in 1992 for the Bosch Cartel T device. That year, only 51 TAC numbers were allocated.

Now in 2022, the number of allocations has extensively accelerated with more than fourteen thousand allocations per year. Up to 1 million IMEIs can be associated with a single TAC before another TAC must be generated.

Device Map

Device Map combines the GSMA issued TAC database with detailed device capabilities to deliver rich device insights, allowing TAC code lookups that enable mobile network operators to make more informed business decisions.

Learn more about IMEI and TAC numbers

If you're looking for more information on TAC numbers, be sure to read these posts on the DeviceAtlas:

• Accessing TAC In Android 10 – A High-Impact DeviceAtlas Contribution
• Device ID and A Cross-Ecosystem Connection
• Device Data for Mobile Operators