Home Sender ID What is the meaning of prefixes like DZ, DM, IZ, etc.?

What is the meaning of prefixes like DZ, DM, IZ, etc.?


When a recipient receives a message from any provider or bank etc., a sender ID along with a prefix is displayed in the inbox. For example- VM-ICICIB, BW-Google, DM-Amazon, VM-Redbus, etc.


The prefixes VM, BW, etc. are displayed because SMS is sent in huge numbers via bulk SMS. SMS providers follow rules framed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and according to TRAI rules


  • Sender ID should be restricted to 6 characters. (E.g MM - MSGIND) 
  • The prefix has a specific meaning. That is:
  • The first character of the prefix displays the operator name
    OperatorCode
    Aircel, Dishnet WirelessD
    AirtelA
    BSNLB
    BPL Mobile/Loop TelecomL
    Idea CellularI
    MTNLM
    Reliance CommunicationsR
    Reliance TelecomE
    Tata TeleservicesT
    UnitechU
    Vodafone

    Videocon    		V

    H & Q
    The second character represents the location of the operator through which the message is received: 
    OperatorCode
    Andhra PradeshA
    AssamS
    BiharB
    DelhiD
    GujaratG
    HaryanaH
    Himachal PradeshI
    Jammu & KashmirJ
    KarnatakaX
    KeralaL
    KolkataK
    Madhya PradeshY
    MaharashtraZ
    MumbaiM
    North EastN
    OrissaO
    PunjabP
    RajasthanR
    TamilnaduT
    UP-EastE
    UP-WestW
    West BengalV
  • Therefore, if you get a message like MM-MSGIND, you can interpret that you've got the message through the MTNL operator from Mumbai.