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Home / Glossary / ESN
Glossary · Device

ESN

Electronic Serial Number

In plain language

A unique number burned into older mobile phones to identify each handset on the network.

The metaphor

Like the serial number stamped on a bicycle frame: it identifies that exact unit.

Going deeper

How it works

  • Was used on older CDMA phones.
  • Replaced in practice by the IMEI and MEID numbers.
  • Carriers use such numbers to block lost or stolen phones.
  • Asset lists record them for company devices.

How WILDCARD handles it

Mobile Management is a planned card for tracking and managing company phones.

In practice
  • A company asset list records each phone's identifier.
  • A carrier blocks a stolen phone by its number.
  • A used phone is checked against a lost-device list.

A question owners ask

Why would I need to record it?

If a phone is lost or stolen, the number lets the carrier block it.

Where WILDCARD handles this
Mobile
Management
Coming soon
Related terms
COPECorporate Owned, Personally EnabledCYODChoose Your Own DeviceOTAOver the AirUEMUnified Endpoint Management

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