HLR stands for "Home Location Register." It is a term commonly used in telecommunications and mobile network technology. The Home Location Register serves as a core database within a mobile network operator's (MNO) infrastructure that stores essential subscriber information and provides critical services related to the management and routing of calls and data.
The HLR is responsible for maintaining up-to-date records of all subscribers within a given mobile network. It contains various information, including the unique International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) associated with each individual subscriber, their authentication key, current mobile network location, service-related preferences, and supplementary services subscribed to. Additionally, it manages important data related to roaming, such as the visited networks and their corresponding Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) for roaming subscribers.
The HLR is crucial for call routing, as it determines the availability and accessibility of a particular subscriber within the network. It allows for efficient call setup by providing accurate information on a subscriber's current location and status. Furthermore, the HLR facilitates various value-added services such as short message service (SMS) delivery, call forwarding, call barring, and call waiting.
In summary, the Home Location Register (HLR) serves as a central database within a mobile network operator's infrastructure that stores subscriber information, manages call routing, supports roaming services, and enables the provision of various supplementary services.
