Access Point Name

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An Access Point Name (APN) is the name of a gateway^[1] between a mobile network (GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G and 5G) and another computer network, frequently the public Internet.^[2]

A mobile device making a data connection must be configured with an APN to present to the carrier. The carrier will then examine this identifier to determine what type of network connection should be created, for example: which IP addresses should be assigned to the wireless device, which security methods should be used, and how, or if, the device should be connected to some private customer network.^[3] APN settings connect the device to the internet via mobile carrier’s cellular network. These settings include IP addresses, gateways, and other technical details that enable the device to access the internet and send MMS.

More specifically, the APN identifies the packet data network (PDN) that a mobile data user wants to communicate with. In addition to identifying a PDN, an Access Point Name may also be used to define the type of service(s), (e.g. connection to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) server and access to Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)) that is provided by the packet data network. APN is used in 3GPP data access networks, e.g. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and evolved by packet core (EPC).

Typically, APN settings are configured automatically when SIM is inserted or eSIM is activated.^[4] An 'Access Point Name' (APN) is the name of a gateway^[5] between a mobile network (GSM, GPRS, 3G, 4G and 5G) and another computer network, frequently the public Internet.^[6]