APN stands for Access Point Name. It serves as a configuration setting on mobile devices, connecting them to a carrier’s cellular network. An APN plays a crucial role in enabling internet access and multimedia messaging services, ensuring that data is transmitted accurately. Structure of an APN An APN consists of two essential components:
- Network Identifier: This specifies the external network to which the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is connected. Optionally, it may also include the service requested by the user.
- Operator Identifier: This identifies the specific operator’s packet domain network where the GGSN is located. It includes the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC), which uniquely identify a mobile network operator.
Examples of APNs
- three.co.uk (operator-specific domain)
- internet.t-mobile
- internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs
- rcomnet.mnc015.mcc405.gprs
Types of APNs
- Public APN: Connects mobile or IoT devices to the public internet. Each time a device establishes a connection, the MNO/MVNO assigns it the next available IP address from a pool.
- Public APN with a Public Static IP: Like a standard APN but assigns a fixed IP address to the device for consistent connections.
Difference Between APNs and VPNs APN (Gateway)
- Establishes wireless connections.
- Configures connectivity paths based on business requirements.
- Allows IoT devices to connect to enterprise networks without accessing the public internet.
VPN (Tunnel)
- Provides a secure data transfer channel across public or private networks.
- Encrypts data packets, making interception indecipherable.
Benefits of APNs
- Greater flexibility for businesses to configure connectivity methods.
- Private APNs keep data confined to private networks while applying security and usage policies.
Summary
APNs are essential for reliable connectivity, whether you’re connecting to the public internet or creating secure channels within enterprise networks. This article was written by our team of IoT experts here at Fidelity Group. We support a wide range of business sectors with our outstanding IoT solution, which includes our market-leading software management platform, vM2M. If you would like to speak to one of our experts to find out how we can help your business, please Click here or call us today on 0800 840 6800. APN stands for Access Point Name. It serves as a configuration setting on mobile devices, connecting them to a carrier’s cellular network. An APN plays a crucial role in enabling internet access and multimedia messaging services, ensuring that data is transmitted accurately.
Structure of an APN
An APN consists of two essential components:
- Network Identifier: This specifies the external network to which the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is connected. Optionally, it may also include the service requested by the user.
- Operator Identifier: This identifies the specific operator’s packet domain network where the GGSN is located. It includes the mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code (MNC), which uniquely identify a mobile network operator.
Examples of APNs
- three.co.uk (operator-specific domain)
- internet.t-mobile
- internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs
- rcomnet.mnc015.mcc405.gprs
Types of APNs
- Public APN: Connects mobile or IoT devices to the public internet. Each time a device establishes a connection, the MNO/MVNO assigns it the next available IP address from a pool.
- Public APN with a Public Static IP: Like a standard APN but assigns a fixed IP address to the device for consistent connections.
Difference Between APNs and VPNs
APN (Gateway)
- Establishes wireless connections.
- Configures connectivity paths based on business requirements.
- Allows IoT devices to connect to enterprise networks without accessing the public internet.
VPN (Tunnel)
- Provides a secure data transfer channel across public or private networks.
- Encrypts data packets, making interception indecipherable.
Benefits of APNs
- Greater flexibility for businesses to configure connectivity methods.
- Private APNs keep data confined to private networks while applying security and usage policies.
Summary
APNs are essential for reliable connectivity, whether you’re connecting to the public internet or creating secure channels within enterprise networks.
This article was written by our team of IoT experts here at Fidelity Group. We support a wide range of business sectors with our outstanding IoT solution, which includes our market-leading software management platform, vM2M. If you would like to speak to one of our experts to find out how we can help your business, please Click here or call us today on 0800 840 6800.
