Prefixes like AD, JX, VM, etc., in SMS Sender IDs indicate the telecom operator and the geographic location of the infrastructure used to deliver the message. For example, AD-STPL means the SMS was sent via Airtel's Delhi infrastructure.
📡 Understanding SMS Sender ID Prefixes
When you receive an SMS from a business or service, the Sender ID often includes a prefix like AD-, JX-, VM-, etc. These prefixes are not random—they carry specific meaning about the telecom operator and the location of the infrastructure used to deliver the SMS.
🔠 Prefix Structure
Each prefix has two characters:
- First character → Telecom Operator
- Second character → Location of the operator’s infrastructure
🏢 Telecom Operator Codes
| Code | Operator |
|---|---|
| A | Airtel |
| B | BSNL |
| I | Idea Cellular |
| J | Reliance Jio |
| M | MTNL |
| R | Reliance Communications |
| T | Tata Teleservices |
| V | Vodafone |
| C, Q | Videocon |
📍 Location Codes
| Code | Location |
|---|---|
| A | Andhra Pradesh |
| S | Assam |
| B | Bihar |
| D | Delhi |
| G | Gujarat |
| H | Haryana |
| I | Himachal Pradesh |
| J | Jammu & Kashmir |
| X | Karnataka |
| L | Kerala |
| K | Kolkata |
| Y | Madhya Pradesh |
| Z | Maharashtra |
| M | Mumbai |
| N | North East |
| O | Orissa |
| P | Punjab |
| R | Rajasthan |
| T | Tamil Nadu |
| E | Uttar Pradesh (East) |
| W | Uttar Pradesh (West) |
| V | West Bengal |
📌 Example Interpretation
- AD-STPL → Sent via Airtel using Delhi infrastructure
- JX-STPL → Sent via Jio using Karnataka infrastructure
- VM-ICICIB → Sent via Vodafone using Mumbai infrastructure
🛠 Why It Matters
- Helps trace message origin for compliance and troubleshooting
- Useful for DLT registration audits and telecom routing analysis
- Adds transparency to enterprise SMS delivery