LACs changing, what does it all mean?

[ginggs]

I've been using CellTrack to do "war-driving" on the MTN network for the last couple of weeks.

I've noticed that the LACs (Location Area Codes) for a couple of the cells have recently changed. For example, cells that used to have a LAC of 11022 and 11024 have changed to 14021.

What does this mean? Are MTN restructuring their network? What effects can this have?

 

[GreGorGy]

What is war driving? You on the East Rand?

I think the codes change to indicate MTN Zone discount...

 

[ginggs]

What is war driving? You on the East Rand?

Is the East Rand dangerous?

War-driving is driving around looking for wireless signals, similar to war-dialling, which is dialling random numbers looking for dial-in servers. See the movie WarGames.

I think the codes change to indicate MTN Zone discount...

No, this has nothing to do with MTN Zone cell broadcasts.

 

[ginggs]

What does this mean? Are MTN restructuring their network? What effects can this have?

Nobody have any ideas? Insider? ECape? Where are you guys?

The following cells all changed their LACs to 14021:

CellID	LAC	Cell Broadcast (Topic 900)
6741	11022	674A/VREDENDAL PHILLIPI
6742	11022	674B/VREDENDAL PHILLIPI
7691	11022	769A/PHILLIPI COLD STORAGE
7692	11022	769B/PHILLIPI COLD STORAGE
38091	11024	3809A/BAPHUMALELE CC
46821	11024	4682A/IKWEZI PARK TELKOM DECT
46822	11024	4682B/IKWEZI PARK TELKOM DECT
46851	11024	4685A/DELFT POLICE STATION VC
46852	11024	4685B/DELFT POLICE STATION VC
46853	11024	4685C/DELFT POLICE STATION VC
46981	11022	4698A/TAFELSIG VC
46982	11022	4698B/TAFELSIG VC
47091	11022	4709A/CARAVELLE SCHOOL VC
47092	11022	4709B/CARAVELLE SCHOOL VC
55341	11024	5534A/SILVERSANDS ESKOM CC

 

[Insider]

The LAC is assigned according to internal planning documents and a numbering plan. Changes in the LAC happen due to:
- relocation of a cell from one BSC or RNC to another
- changing the size of a location area to optimise paging attempts and retries
- reworking the LAC number plan to improve or expand the meaning of the codes

 

[Keeper]

is this where you use packet snarfers?