MSL meaning in Telecommunication ?

Answer:

What is Master Subsidy Lock mean?

A SIM lock, simlock, network lock, carrier lock or (master) subsidy lock is a technical restriction built into GSM and CDMA mobile phones by mobile phone manufacturers for use by service providers to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and/or networks. This is in contrast to a phone (retrospectively called SIM-free or unlocked) that does not impose any SIM restrictions.

Generally phones can be locked to accept only SIM cards with certain International Mobile Subscriber Identities (IMSIs); IMSIs may be restricted by:

Mobile country code (MCC; e.g., will only work with SIM issued in one country)Mobile network code (MNC; e.g., AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Bell Mobility etc.)Mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN; i.e., only one SIM can be used with the phone)

Additionally, some phones, especially Nokia phones, are locked by group IDs (GIDs), restricting them to a single Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) of a certain operator.

Most mobile phones can be unlocked to work with any GSM network provider, but the phone may still display the original branding and may not support features of the new carrier. Besides the locking, phones may also have firmware installed on them which is specific to the network provider. For example, a Vodafone or Telstra branded phone in Australia will display the relevant logo and may only support features provided by that network (e.g. Vodafone Live!). This firmware is installed by the service provider and is separate from the locking mechanism. Most phones can be unbranded by reflashing a different firmware version, a procedure recommended for advanced users only. The reason many network providers SIM lock their phones is that they offer phones at a discount to customers in exchange for a contract to pay for the use of the network for a specified time period, usually between one and three years. This business model allows the company to recoup the cost of the phone over the life of the contract. Such discounts are worth up to several hundred US dollars. If the phones were not locked, users might sign a contract with one company, get the discounted phone, then stop paying the monthly bill (thus breaking the contract) and start using the phone on another network or even sell the phone for a profit. SIM locking curbs this by prohibiting change of network (using a new SIM).

SIM locking is very common if subsidized phones are sold with prepaid contracts. It is important to note, however, that the technology associated with the phone must be compatible with the technology being used by the network carrier. A GSM cell phone will only work with a GSM carrier and will not work on a CDMA network provider. Likewise, a CDMA cell phone will only work with a CDMA carrier and will not work on a GSM network provider. Note that newer (2013+) high end mobile phones are capable of supporting both CDMA and GSM technologies, allowing customers to use their mobile devices on any network. Examples of these mobile devices are the Apple iPhone 5c, 6 and newer, Motorola's G4, G5, X Pure, Samsung's Galaxy S6, S7, S8 smart phones, mostly phones based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset or radio.

In some jurisdictions, such as Canada, Chile, China, Israel, and Singapore, it is illegal for providers to sell SIM locked devices. In other countries, carriers may not be required to unlock devices or may require the consumer to pay a fee for unlocking.

Unlocking the phone, however, is almost universally legal. Additionally, it is often legal for carriers to force SIM locks for certain amounts of time, varying by region.

reference

Full Form	Category
Mean Sea Leve	Academic & Science
Materials Systems Laboratory	Academic & Science
Medical Sciences Library	Academic & Science
Maine State Library	Academic & Science
Montana State Library	Academic & Science
Maryland Student Legislature	Academic & Science
Magick Scripting Language	Academic & Science
Marston Science Library	Academic & Science
Maximum Segment Length	Academic & Science
Sheffield (al)	Airport Code
MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.	Business
Marks Spencer Lingerie	Business
Merino Services Limited	Business
Marketing Sales and Logistics	Business
Must Stock Listing	Business
Minimum Stock Level	Business
Multi Sensory Learning	Community
Multisensory Simultaneous Learning	Community
Milwaukee School of Languages	Community
Metro Scout League	Community
Motivation Success and Leadership	Community
Multimedia Sensors Lab	Community
Motivation Success Leadership	Community
Master of Science in Leadership	Community
Military Science Leadership	Community
Maximum Segment Lifetime	Computer Hardware
Model Specification Language	Computing
Marvel Strategy Language	Computing
Metrowerks Standard Library	Computing
MBCGame StarCraft League	Computing
Mock Service Layer	Computing
Machine Status Link	Computing
Meridian Switch Load	Computing
Microsoft Support Lifecycle	Computing
Microsoft Licenses	Computing
Master Symbol List	Computing
Map Specification Library	Computing
Multi Single Level	Computing
Model Schema Language	Computing
Magic Scripting Language	Computing
Mobile Station Location	Computing
Microsoft Learning	Computing
Midstage Access Loss	Computing
Mirrored Server Link	Computing
Midrange Storage Library	Computing
Multi Site License	Computing
Managed System List	Computing
Master In The Study of Law	Educational Degree
Master of Studies In Law	Educational Degree
Modify System Logging	Electronics
Moisture Sensitivity Level	Electronics
Mew's Secret Land	General
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Multiple Security Levels	General
Managed Service Leads	General
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Male Specific Lethal	General
Mende in Sierra Leone	General
Motor Sport Line	General
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Multisensory Structured Language	General
Message Security Layer	General
Missions Supporters League	General
Moore Stephens Lovelace	General
Most Suitable Lyric	General
Mahindra Sona Limited	General
Maximum Speed Limit	General
Marketing Specification List	General
Motorway Speed Limit	General
Mechatronic Steering Lock	General
Minimum Subsistence Level	Governmental
Masters of Studies in Law	Governmental
Massachusetts School of Law	Governmental
Master of Science in Law	Governmental
MACHCHALANDAPUR	Indian Railway Station
Mexican Sign Language	International
Medical Science Liaison	Medical
Material Science Laboratory	Medical
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Mid-Sternal Line	Medical
Microscopy Services Laboratory	Medical
Michael Smith Laboratories	Medical
Master Station Log	Military and Defence
Master Support List	Military and Defence
Muscle Shoals, Alabama USA	Regional
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Modeler Scripting Language	Softwares
Motion Strategy Library	Softwares
Mean Sea Level	Space Science
Mechanical System(s) Laboratory	Space Science
Missile	Space Science
Mars Science Laboratory	Space Science
Mechanized Skirmish League	Sports
Mid State League	Sports
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Major Soccer League	Sports
Master Subsidy Lock	Telecommunication