Knowing how to read the battery compartment label of a Nokia phone can help you to understand your device and lead you quickly away from bogus devices.

The label is a motherlode of information to mine. This guide will go through it step by step using a Nokia N78-3 label as a reference. Each model has a different layout. The layout for the model you are considering is on file at the FCC website under the FCC ID. Layouts differ but the basic information, apart from the WLAN address is very much the same.

The Battery Compartment Label
of the Nokia N78-3 in situ

Agencies

Detail of the above label showing the
logos of the certifying agencies

Everyone knows the job isn't finished until the paperwork is done. The battery compartment label indicates just what paperwork and to whom it went.

• NOM is Normas Oficiales Mexicanas and represents the device meets Mexican regulations.

• Normalización y Certificación Electrónica (NYCE) is the next logo that looks like a stylised transistor, and represent safety approval by the Mexican government.

• The CE 0434 shows that this device is in conformity with European Union standards and such conformity was reported to whatever body has the numeric identifier 0434. 

These certification logos show up on devices that are not carrier branded but may or may not be on carrier branded devices. See my Nokia 6301 guide for an example of a battery compartment label from a T-Mobile branded device.

Made in China is self-explanatory. Genuine Nokia devices are made in China, among other places. This is why knowing how to read the label is important for sorting the genuine China Made Nokia devices from the bogus China made Nokia fakes. The dark rectangle with white arrow is explained below.

Certification

Detail of the N78-3 label showing the
certification numbers assigned.

Before a reputable company turns loose a mobile device on the unsuspecting public it demonstrates to governmental certifying bodies that it meets certain standards for safety to the consumer and that it will play well with other devices on the network. In order, from top to bottom:

• CNC ID: 25-6260 This is the certification given by Argentina's Comisión Nacional de Comunicaciones.

• FCC ID: QFXRM-342 This is the certification bestowed by the USA's Federal Communications Commission

• IC: 661Z-RM342 This is the Chinese government's certification.

Type:

Detail of the N78-3 label showing
the Type code

This is the internal Nokia model name for the device. You'll note that RM-342 is also the end of the FCC certification. If the end of the FCC ID and the type do not match on a Nokia device you are considering you can politely walk away and know you avoided a bogus device. There are lists on the Internet that match the Type to the model. Be sure that the Type on the label matches the marketing model you are buying as well.

Model:

Detail of the N78-3 label showing
the marketing model name

The model is the marketing name of the device. The -3 indicates, almost always, that the device is configured for use in North America. This means on triband devices 850MHz GSM is implemented. With 3G - WCDMA devices 850MHz/1900MHz for North American 3G or 1700/2100 AWS for T-Mobile 3G is implemented. A -1 usually indicates European or Asian market which means different bands are implemented that, especially with 3G, will not function in North America.

Code

 
Detail of the N78-3 label showing the firmware code/build code

The code is the value sent to the Nokia server when you couple your device to your computer with Nokia Software Updater (NSU) software. NSU sends the code to the server, it looks up the most recent firmware for that code and returns it to your computer. Your computer compares it with what is on your device and then:

• offers to install a newer version if available

• offers to reinstall the current version if none newer is available

• simply tells you your firmware is up to date.

The first seven digits of the code are significant to NSU. The rest have to do with build date. I believe this was built FP24 or June 24. If there is no code, it is a fake.

WLAN:

Detail of N78-3 label showing a
portion of the WLAN address

The WLAN: number is the address of your device when it attaches to the wireless router in your network or someone else's network. It is unique to the device. I've truncated it here so you can see the format it takes. If you are buying a wifi or UMA enabled Nokia device and this is not on the box label and/or the battery compartment label, again, walk away from the deal. Not all Nokia devices are wifi or UMA enabled so not all will have WLAN codes on them. Some carrier branded devices will not have the WLAN ID on the label. Again, refer to the image of the 6301b label in my guide on that topic. Do your research and find out if they are wifi or UMA capable before you begin to buy.

IMEI

Detail of the N78-3 label showing a
portion of the IMEI

The IMEI is the International Mobile Equipment Identifier. It is unique for your device, or should be. The IMEI is a 15 digit number. The last digit is a check digit that allows for ensuring the rest of the IMEI is correct. The first eight digits is the Type Allocationl Code (TAC) the next six digits is the serial sequence of the model. Resources exist on the web for checking the IMEI to ensure it matches the marketing and Nokia internal model numbers. If you sign up for MyNokia on nokiausa.com you can enter the IMEI of the device you are considering and it will indicate if it is a valid IMEI by:

• showing you an image and model name to which that IMEI is assigned

• asking you to re-enter the IMEI if it is not valid, for example the TAC has not been assigned to a device.

SIM Guide

Detail showing SIM Guide

This helps people like me figure out how and where to place the SIM card on GSM devices. The Samsung SGH-D900 used a small raised icon on matte black plastic to indicate this. I almost never figured out where to put the SIM.

The Wrap

Amazing how much information can be squeezed into such a small area. It is even more amazing that it spends the bulk of its life not only covered by the battery but with a cover over that. I almost always include a shot of the battery compartment label in my listings. If you've ever seen one of my listings and wondered "what's he showing that for?" now you know.

The easiest way to access the FCC database is to go to phonescoop.com and enter in the search bar the model of the phone in which you are interested. Click the link for your device. There is a good deal of information, including the FCC ID and a link to the FCC information on the model information page. Photos, the owner's guide, the SAR test and the position, and frequently a photo of the label will be available at the FCC. Always use the detail rather than the summary. The best part is the link to do another FCC search. If you are considering several models you now can easily look up all of them while you are there.

Author's Note

If I am mistaken in my information feel free to send me a message correcting me. If you feel this could be more clearly written please let me know what you think will improve it.

If this has been of use feel free to give it a positive vote, it is the only compensation I get for this work. If you feel you want to give a negative vote, drop me a line and tell me what the problem is so I can adjust it. I'm reasonable and want these guides I write to serve, educate and entertain. Thank you for reading. RC