type approval code (IMEI) (TAC)
The type approval code, Type Allocation Code (TAC) or Type Approval Code (TAC), is a 6- digit code for identifying cell phones and smartphones. The TAC code forms the first digits of the International Mobile Equipment Identification( IMEI) code.
The first two digits of the TAC code represent the central institution or country that issued the IMEI. In Germany , it is 49, which stands for the Federal Network Agency(BNetzA). The following six digits identify the cell phone type. Since 2003, the subsequent Final Assembly Code( FAC), which indicates the country of manufacture, can be combined with the TAC code.
The example of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone SIII illustrates the TAC system. In the TAC code 35226005, the 35 stands for the issuing organization, which is the BABT from Great Britain, the following digits 2260 identify the device as a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, and the 05 is the FAC code.