PROJECT REPORT ON

“GSM STUDY,
IMPLEMENTATION &
SWITCHING PROCESS”

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

GUPTA VAIBHAV ANILKUMAR .
3rd YEAR SWITCH DEPTT.
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION IDEA CELLULAR
GLOBAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAIPUR
JAIPUR,
RAJASTHAN.
 TRAINING COMPLETED AT
IDEA TELECOMMUNICATIONS PVT. LIMITED JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN
.

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that GUPTA VAIBHAV ANILKUMAR, a student of 3rd

year B.TECH. ECE of GLOBAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY have
satisfactorily completed the Industrial Training after Sixth Semester. They
were associated with the Network Services Department. Their work has
been to our satisfaction. The sincerity and commitment towards the job
undertaken and overall assessment of their performance can be rated as
Excellent.

We appreciate the efforts put in by them and wish them all success in their
future endeavors.

GUIDE SUPERVISOR

Mr. Sourabh Ms. Priyanka

Sr. Manager Manager
NWS, Jaipur. NWS, Jaipur.
 INDEX

1. CERTIFICATE
2. COMPANY’S PROFILE
3. SYNOPSIS
4. UNVIELING MOBILE COMMUNICATION
5. GSM (GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE ARCHITECTURE)
6. ROAMING
7. IMSI OPERATIONS
8. SMSC
9. BIBLIOGRAPHY
COMPANY’S PROFILE:

Idea Cellular antecedents date back to 1995, when

the Aditya Birla Group and AT&T (through Birla AT&T
Communications-Maharashtra & Gujarat circle) and
the Tata Group (through Tata Cellular – Andhra
Pradesh circle) set up cellular networks. Both the
above company was amongst the first company into
commercially start operation in circles other than
metros and achieves financial closure in Indian
Telecom industry.
In the year 2000,the historic path-breaking
merger of Tata Cellular with Birla AT & T
Communications and the subsequent acquisition of
RPG Cellular – (Madhya Pradesh circle) in the year
2001 – helped take the company to aim even further
and led to the formation of Birla Tata AT & T
Limited.
In the year 2001,company won fourth cellular
license for Delhi metro circle and in year 2002
company introduced common brand “!dea” and
changed the name to Idea Cellular Limited.
Since then, there has been no looking back for
IDEA Cellular. The company launches Delhi
operations in year 2002 and added a record 100,000
subscriber within one month of launch.
 In 2003, the company achieved the largest
financial closure in Indian Telecom for its entire
circle. In 2004, the company entered into definitive
agreement to acquire Escotel Mobile
Communications (existing operator in Haryana,
kerala and UP (W)) and Escorts
Telecommunications (cellular licensee holder for
UP (E), Himachal Pradesh and Rajas than).
Today, Idea Cellular is a part of the Aditya Birla
Group. The group is India’s first truly multinational
corporation. Global in vision, rooted in Indian values,
the group is driven by a performance ethic pegged
on value creation for its multiple stakeholders.
!dea cellular recognizes human resources as a
backbone for its long-term success. We aim to be the
best employer, attracting and retaining the best
employees. Their people are their greatest resource
as they are their differentiator. Idea is all about
participation and involvement - seek opportunities,
give opinions and always speak your mind. They are
focused on conserving the best aspects of their
unique culture and on perpetuating what attracts
people to join, and remain, at Idea.

IDEA PARTNERS:
IDEA welcomes all businesses and individuals
interested in partnering to enhance and strengthen
the IDEA products & services portfolio.
Some of its Technology and content partners are:
• Nokia
• Ericsson
• Schlumberger Sema
• NDTV
• Indiatimes
 • Rediff
• C2W

Abbreviations:

• AUC Authentication Center

• BSC Base Station Controller
• BTS Base Transceiver Station
• EIR Equipment Identity Register
• HLR Home Location Register
• MS Mobile Station
• MSC Mobile services Switching Center
• NMC Network Management Center
• OMC Operation and Maintenance Center
• VLR Visitor Location Register
• PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
• RAN Radio Access Network
• ARFCN Absolute Radio Frequency Channel
• PSTN Public Switch Telephone Network
• POI Point Of Interconnectivity
• ISDN Inegrated Services Digital Network
• MO Mobile Originating
• MT Mobi;e Terminating
• RBSC Remote Base Station Controller
• NSS Network Switching Subtation
• MSRN Mobile Subscribers Roaming Number
• VAS Value Added Services
• IN Intelligent Network
• HSN Hopping Sequence Number

“SYNOPSIS”
The onset of modernity has witnessed the Human race progressing in all
terms and regards be it the growth in living standards or the growth of
Technology. It is due to the Technological advancements, which has
granted humans the permission to even step on the “moon” which was
once an almost repelling viewpoint. Today by sitting in U.S. we can feel the
horror of Tsunami striking the coast of India, Java & Sumatra, which has
taken with itself a major toll of living beings. As well, can we sense the
beauty of Kashmir in our very close proximity.

The emergence of the Mobile Telephony in the later eras of the 20th century
has witnessed the truth and the depth of the saying “vasudheva-
kutumbkum”. Indeed the Hutch advertisement signifying the closeness of
distant relatives as a well-knit family is an undeniable truth.
Among the major Technologies speeding up the job of binding the
world into an ever-decreasing unit is the “GSM” Architecture and it’s
implementation.
Presented here is an overview of the GSM architecture, it’s
implementation & it’s wide scope in the field of communication.
The title of the Project undertaken is “GSM STUDY,
IMPLEMENTATION & SWITCHING PROCESSES” which covers two
different areas of GSM, namely: -
1) International & National Roaming.
2) Level opening (Private & Public sector).

INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL ROAMING

1) International & National roaming includes testing of Roaming

Cards (Prepaid & Postpaid testing) of different networks. e.g.
AIRTEL,HUTCH,etc..
2) Preparation of DT sheets for different Roaming Cards before
testing.
For preparation of DT sheets following things need to be
changed: -
• IMSI number is defined & changed to MGT.
• Only first four digits need to be entered.
• If IMSI number is not given then first five numbers of IMSI,
which can be gathered from IR-21 of particular state of
their network, are then changed.
 • SPC, SSN need to be defined and then the whole DT file is
run.
3) Various tests are performed and IR-24 is filled for Postpaid
Roaming & IR-32 is filled for Prepaid Roaming with the help of
IR-21, which is provided by different operators containing
general details.

LEVEL OPENING

1) The work done involves opening of the LEVEL 1 TAXES of all the
states to our levels namely 98870 to 98874. The LEVEL 1 is
basically a transient switch type, which is responsible to forward
all the STD, calls through it.
2) The next stage involves opening of levels i.e. 98870 to 98874 to
the LEVEL 2 of the BSNL PSTN network, also called as the LDCA
(Long Distance Charging Area). The work is in progress.
3) The future course of action deals with the opening of SDCA
(Short Distance Charging Area) levels, which are approximately
2642 in number.

OPENING OF 94 LEVELS

1)The PSTN network is absolutely independent network

communicating with the
GSM to exchange voice and data signals.
2) The BSNL mobile network has a very wide network of GMSC’s
spread across the country. There are some places like Chennai,
Mumbai, etc… where the density of mobile users is so high that
the same city is a hub of multiple no. of MSC’s. Thus, the task
involves opening of the levels (0) 98870-74 at these GMSC’s to
receive & send calls to 94 levels.
3) Apart from the BSNL GSM network MTNL operating in the cities of
Delhi & Mumbai also need to be taken care of. Our levels need to
be opened even at the MTNL DOLPHIN MSCs
4) The last task involved is getting the SMS tested from the
corresponding MTNL GSM connections by opening up the 98870
to 98874 levels in the SMSC’s. This work is to be done in parallel
with the above job.
 “PROJECT”

“VAS Systems”

During the course of the training period, we had the opportunity to

interface with the BSC & MSC of GSM architecture. It was around
this time that we were asked to prepare a DT SHEET for the VAS
System.

UNVEILING MOBILE COMMUNICATION

MOBILE TELEPHONY
A witness to the History of India would strengthen the belief on the
conception that ages ago when mobile communication was a far-fetched
idea, Sanjay in Mahabharat had then used the concept of wireless
communication to describe the scene at Kurukshetra to Maharaja
Dhritrashtra. Following those very footsteps has emerged today, the vast
field of Mobile Telephony.
Mobile telecommunications is one of the fastest growing and most
demanding of all telecommunications technologies. Currently, it represents
an increasingly high percentage of all new telephone subscriptions
worldwide. In many cases, cellular solutions successfully compete with
traditional wire line networks and cordless telephones. In the future,
cellular systems employing digital technology will become the universal
method of telecommunication.

MOBILE STANDARDS
Standards play a major role in telecommunications by:
• Allowing products from diverse suppliers to be interconnected
• Facilitating innovation by creating large markets for common
products

The standards-making process is one of co-operation at many levels,

both nationally and internationally and includes cooperation between:
• Industrial concerns within a country
• These industrial concerns and their governments
• National governments at an international level

The primary purpose of a standard for mobile communications is to

specify how mobile phone calls are to be handled by a mobile network.
For example, this includes specification of the following:
• The signals to be transmitted and received by the mobile phone
• The format of these signals
• The interaction of network nodes
• The basic network services, which should be available to mobile
subscribers
• The basic network structure (i.e. cells, etc.)

GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE

COMMUNICATION (GSM)
 GSM WORLDWIDE

The dark shaded areas represents the dominance of the GSM

subscribers in the world.

Because GSM provides a common standard, cellular subscribers can

use their telephones over the entire GSM service area, which includes
all the countries around the world where the GSM system is used. In
addition, GSM provides user services such as high-speed data
communication, facsimile and a Short Message Service (SMS). The GSM
technical specifications are also designed to work with other standards
as it guarantees standard interfaces. Finally, a key aspect of GSM is
that the specifications are open-ended and can be built upon to meet
future requirements.

GSM SPECIFICATIONS
GSM was designed to be platform-independent. The GSM specifications
do not specify the actual hardware requirements, but instead specify
the network functions and interfaces in detail. This allows hardware
designers to be creative in how they provide the actual functionality,
but at the same time makes it possible for operators to buy equipment
from different suppliers. The GSM recommendations consist of twelve
series, which are listed, in the table below. Different working parties
and a number of expert groups wrote these series. A permanent
nucleus was established in order to coordinate the working parties and
to manage the editing of the recommendations. All these groups were
organized by ETSI.

Series Content
• General
• Service aspects
• Network aspects
• MS - BSS interface and protocol
• Physical layer on the radio path
• Speech coding specification
• Terminal adaptor for MS
• BSS - MSC interface
• Network interworking
• Service interworking
• Equipment and type approval specifications
• Operation and maintenance

The GSM 1800 section is written as a delta part within the GSM
recommendations, describing only those differences between GSM 900
and GSM 1800. GSM 1900 is based on GSM 1800 and has been
adapted to meet the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) standard.

GSM ARCHITECTURE & NETWORK COMPONENTS

The GSM network is divided into two systems. Each of these systems is
comprised of a number of functional units, which are individual
components of the mobile network. The two systems are:
 • Switching System (SS)
• Base Station System (BSS)
In addition, as with all telecommunications networks, GSM networks
are operated, maintained and managed from computerized centers.

GSM ARCHITECTURE

The SS is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber

related functions. It includes the following functional units:
• Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)
• Home Location Register (HLR)
• Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• Authentication Center (AUC)
• Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The BSS performs all the radio-related functions. The BSS is comprised
of the following functional units:
• Base Station Controller (BSC)
• Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
The OMC performs all the operation and maintenance tasks for the
network such as monitoring network traffic and network alarms. The
OMC has access to both the SS and the BSS. MSs do not belong to any
of these systems.

(a) SWITCHING SYSTEM (SS) COMPONENTS

Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)

The MSC performs the telephony switching functions for the mobile
network. It controls calls to and from other telephony and data
systems, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN),
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), public data networks,
private networks and other mobile networks.

Gateway Functionality

Gateway functionality enables an MSC to interrogate a network's HLR

in order to route a call to a Mobile Station (MS). Such an MSC is called
a Gateway MSC (GMSC). For example, if a person connected to the
PSTN wants to make a call to a GSM mobile subscriber, then the PSTN
exchange will access the GSM network by first connecting the call to a
GMSC. The same is true of a call from an MS to another MS. Any MSC in
the mobile network can function as a gateway by integration of the
appropriate software.

Home Location Register (HLR)

The HLR is a centralized network database that stores and manages all
mobile subscriptions belonging to a specific operator. It acts as a
permanent store for a person's subscription information until that
subscription is canceled. The information stored includes:
• Subscriber identity
• Subscriber supplementary services
• Subscriber location information
• Subscriber authentication information
The HLR can be implemented in the same network node as the MSC or
as a stand-alone database. If the number of subscribers exceeds the
capacity of a HLR, additional HLRs may be added.

Visitor Location Register (VLR)

The VLR database contains information about all the mobile

subscribers currently located in an MSC service area. Thus, there is one
VLR for each MSC in a network. The VLR temporarily stores
subscription information so that the MSC can service all the subscribers
currently visiting that MSC service area. The VLR can be regarded as a
distributed HLR as it holds a copy of the HLR information stored about
the subscriber.
When a subscriber roams into a new MSC service area, the VLR
connected to that MSC requests information about the subscriber from
the subscriber's HLR. The HLR sends a copy of the information to the
VLR and updates its own location information. When the subscriber
makes a call, the VLR will already have the information required for call
set-up.

Authentication Center (AUC)

The main function of the AUC is to authenticate the subscribers

attempting to use a network. In this way, it is used to protect network
operators against fraud. The AUC is a database connected to the HLR,
which provides it with the authentication parameters, and ciphering
keys used to ensure network security.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The EIR is a database containing mobile equipment identity

information, which helps to block calls from stolen, unauthorized, or
defective MSs. It should be noted that due to subscriber-equipment
separation in GSM, the barring of MS equipment does not result in
automatic barring of a subscriber. It’s main work is to validate the
mobile equipment. The MSC/VLR can request the EIR to check if MS/UE
has been stolen (black listed), not typed-approved (gray listed), normal
registered (white listed) or unknown.

Base Station Controller (BSC)

The BSC manages all the radio-related functions of a GSM network. It is

a high capacity switch that provides functions such as MS handover,
radio channel assignment and the collection of cell configuration data.
A number of BSCs may be controlled by each MSC.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The BTS controls the radio interface to the MS. The BTS comprises the
radio equipment such as transceivers and antennas, which are needed
to serve each cell in the network. A group of BTSs are controlled by a
BSC.
NETWORK MONITORING CENTERS

Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)

An OMC is a computerized monitoring center, which is connected to
other network components such as MSCs, and BSCs via X.25 data
network links. In the OMC, staff is
presented with information about the status of the network and can
monitor and control a variety of system parameters. There may be one
or several OMCs within a network depending on the network size.

Network Management Center (NMC)

Centralized control of a network is done at a Network Management
Center (NMC). Only one NMC is required for a network and this controls
the subordinate OMCs. The advantage of this hierarchical approach is
that staff at the NMC can concentrate on long term system-wide
issues, whereas local personnel at each OMC can concentrate on short
term, regional issues.
OMC and NMC functionality can be combined in the same physical
network node or implemented at different locations.

MOBILE STATION (MS)

A mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile network uses an

MS. Several types of MSs exist, each allowing the subscriber to make
and receive calls. Manufacturers of MSs offer a variety of designs and
features to meet the needs of different markets. The range or
coverage area of an MS depends on the output power of the MS.
Different types of MSs have different output power capabilities and
consequently different ranges. For
example, hand-held MSs have a lower output power and shorter range
than car-installed MSs with a roof mounted antenna.
GSM MSs consist of:
• A mobile terminal
• A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Unlike other standards, in GSM the subscriber is separated from the

mobile terminal. Each subscriber's information is stored as a "smart
card" SIM. The SIM can be plugged into any GSM mobile terminal. This
brings the advantages of security and portability for subscribers. For
example, subscriber A's mobile terminal may have been stolen.
However, subscriber A's own SIM can be used in another person's
mobile terminal and the calls will be charged to subscriber A.

GSM GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORK STRUCTURE

Every telephone network needs a specific structure to route incoming
calls to the correct exchange and then on to the subscriber. In a mobile
network, this structure is very important because the subscribers are
mobile. As subscribers move through the network, these structures are
used to monitor their location.

CELL
A cell is the basic unit of a cellular system and is defined as the area of
radio coverage given by one BS antenna system. Each cell is assigned
a unique number called Cell Global Identity (CGI). In a complete
network covering an entire country, the number of cells can be quite
high.

A CELL

LOCATION AREA (LA)

A Location Area (LA) is defined as a group of cells. Within the network,

a subscriber’s location is known by the LA, which they are in. The
identity of the LA in which an MS is currently located is stored in the
VLR. When an MS crosses the boundary between two cells belonging to
different LA’s, it must report its new Location Area to the network (This
only occurs when the MS is idle. The location is not updated during a
call; instead the updating takes place after the release). If it crosses a
cell boundary within a LA, it does not report k, its new cell location to
the network. When there is a call for an MS, a paging message is
broadcast within all the cells belonging to the relevant LA.
 ROAMING

Roaming as a process :
Roaming is a general term in wireless telecomm. that refers to the
extending connectivity service in a location that is different from teh
home location where the service was registered. Roaming occurswhen
a subscriber of one wireless service provider uses the facilities of
another wirelesss service provider. This second has no direct pre-
existing financial or service agreement with thissubscriber to send or
recieve information. A device will usually indicate when it is roaming.
Teh quintessential example of “roaming” is the case of cellular phones
when a phone is in a location where it’s wireless service provider does
not provide coverage (for example- another country). In some cases
roaming occurs in a phone’s designated home area when it transmits
via a different providers tower (sometimes at a higher price). This is
likely to occur when the service provider’s signal is too weak or if the
volume of callers is too high. In order for a mobile device to use a
different carrier’s service, the phone’s service provider must have a
roaming agreement with that carrier.

ROAMING PROCESS
The details of the roaming process differ among types of cellular
networks, but in general, the process resembles the following:

When the mobile device is turned on or is transferred via a handoverto

the network, this new “visited” network sees teh device, notices that it
is not registered with it’s own system & attempts to identify its home
network. If there is no roaming agreement between thje two networks,
maintainenece of service is impossible, and the visited network denies
service.
The visited network contacts the home network and requests service
information (including whether or not the mobile should be allowed to
roam) about the roaming device using the IMSI no.
If successful, the visited network begins to maintain a temporary
subscriber record for the device. Likewise, the home network updates
its information to indicate taht the mobile is on the host network so
that any information sent to that device can be correctly routed.
If a call is made to a roaming mobile, teh public telephones network
routes the calls to the phone’s registered service provider, who then
must route it to the visited network. That network must then provide
an internal temporary phone no. to the mobile. Once this no. is
defined, teh home network forwards the incoming call to teh
temporary phone no., which terminates at the host network & is
forwarded to the mobile.
In order that a subscriber is able to “latch” on to a visited network, a
roaming agreement needs to be in place between the visited network
& the home network. This agreement is estbd. after a series of tesing
processes called IREG &TADIG. While teh IREG testing is top test the
proper functioning of the estbd. comm. Links, the TADIG testing is to
check teh billability of the calls.
Teh usage by a subscriber in a visited network is captured in a file
called teh TAP (Transferred Account Procedure) for GSM/CIBER (Cellular
Intercarrier Billing Exchange Roamer) for CDMA, AMPS etc. File & is
transferred to the home network. A TAP/CIBER file contains details of
the calls made by the subsciber viz. location, callingparty, called party,
time of call & duration, etc... teh TAP/CIBER files are rated as per teh
tariffs charged by the visted operator. The home operator then bills
these calls to his subscribers and may change a mark-up/tax apllicable
locally.

TARIFFS
Roaming fees are traditionally charged on a per-minute basis and they
are typically determined by the service provider’s pricing plan. Several
carriers in USA have eliminated these fees in their nationwide pricing
plans. All of teh major carriers now offer pricing plans taht allow
consumers to purchase nationwide roaming-free minutes. However,
carriers define “nationwide” in different ways. For example- some
carriers define “nationwide” as any where in US, whereas others define
it as anywhere within teh carriers network.
An operator intending to provide roaming services to visitors publishes
tehj tariffs taht would be charged in his network at least sixty days
prior to its implementation under normal situations. Teh visted
operators tariffs may include tax, discounts, etc.. and would be based
on duration in case of voice calls. For data calls, the charging may be
based on teh data volume sent & recieved. Some operators also
charge a separate fee for call setup i.e. for teh estb. of a call. This
charge is called a Flag fall charge.
ADDITIONAL NOTIONS & TYPES OF ROAMING

1.Regional roaming

This type of roaming refers to the ability of moving from one regoin to
another region inside national coverage of the mobile operator.
Initiallly, operators often made commercial offers restricted to a region
(sometimes to a town). Due to the success of GSM & the decrease in
cost, regional roaming is rarel offered to clients except in nations with
wide geofraphic areas like the USA, Russia, India, etc... in which teher
are a no. of regional operators.

2.National roaming

This type of roaming refers to teh ability to move from one mobile
operator to another in teh same country. For ex- a subscriber of T-
Mobile USA who is allowed to roam on Singular Wireless’s service
would have nationalroaming rights. For commercial & license reasons,
this type of roaming is not allowed unless under very specific
circumstances & under regulatory scruitny. This has often taken place
when a new company is assigned a mobile telephony license, to create
a more competitive market by allowing teh new entrant to offer
coverage compareable to that of estbd. opeators (by requiring teh
existing operators to allow roaming while teh new entrant has time to
build up its own network).

3.International roaming

This type of roaming refers to the ability to move to a Foreign Service

provider’s network. It is consequently, of particular interest to
international tourists & business travellers. Broadly speaking,
international roaming is easiest using the GSM std. as it is used by over
80% of teh world’s mobile operators. However, even then, there may
be problems, since countries have allocated different freq. bands for
GSM comm. Thus a phone should be either tri- or quad band.

GSM IDENTITIES
To switch a call to a mobile subscriber, the right identifying codes must be
used. A mobile subscriber can make, receive, or forward calls from any
location within the GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) with a high
degree of security. GSM uses more than one addressing and numbering
plan to identify different networks. The identities used in a GSM PLMN
network are as follows.

MOBILE STATION ISDN NUMBER (MSISDN)

The MSISDN is a number which uniquely identifies a mobile telephone

subscription within the Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN)
numbering plan. In GSM 900 the MSISDN is composed of:

MSISDN = CC + NDC + SN
• CC = Country Code
• NDC = National Destination Code
• SN = Subscriber Number

In GSM 1900 the MSISDN is composed of:

MSISDN = CC + NPA + SN
• CC = Country Code
 • NPA = Number Planning Area
• SN = Subscriber Number

MSISDN in GSM 1900

A National Destination Code (NDC)/ Numbering Plan Area (NPA) is

allocated to each GSM 900/GSM 1900 PLMN. In some countries more
than one NDC/NPA may be required for each GSM 900/GSM 1900
PLMN. The length of the MSISDN depends on the structure and
operating plan of each operator. The maximum length is 15 digits,
prefixes not included. Each subscription is connected to one HLR.

INTERNATIONAL MOBILE SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY (IMSI)

The IMSI is a unique identifying code allocated to each subscriber
allowing correct identification over the radio path and through the GSM
PLMN network. It is used for all identification signaling in the PLMN and
all network related subscriber information is connected to it. The IMSI
is stored in the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), as well as in the HLR
and the VLR.
It consists of three different parts:

IMSI = MCC + MNC + MSIN

• MCC = Mobile Country Code

 • MNC = Mobile Network Code
• MSIN = Mobile Subscriber Identification Number

According to the GSM 900/GSM 1900 specifications, IMSI can have a

maximum length of 15 digits.
Examples:
A subscriber in the German Telecom GSM 900 network has the
following IMSI.
IMSI = 262 02 XXXXXXXXXX
A subscriber in the American GSM 1900 network has the following IMSI:
IMSI = 310 011 XXXXXXXXX

IMSI

TEMPORARY MOBILE SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY (TMSI)

The TMSI can be used to keep subscriber information confidential on
the air interface. It also increases paging capacity as the length of the
TMSI is shorter than the length of
the IMSI. The TMSI is relevant on the local MSC/VLR level only and is
changed at certain events or time intervals. Each local operator can
define his own TMSI structure. The TMSI should not consist of more
than four octets when used within a Location Area (LA), for example,
for paging. When a cell within a new Location Area (LA) is entered, the
Location Area Identitiy (LAI) must be added to the four octets to
perform a location update.

MOBILE STATION ROAMING NUMBER (MSRN)

When a mobile terminating call is to be set up, the HLR of the called
subscriber requests the current MSC/VLR to allocate a MSRN to the
called subscriber. This MSRN is returned via the HLR to the GMSC. The
GMSC routes the call to the MSC/VLR exchange where the called
subscriber is currently registered. The routing is done using the MSRN.
When the routing is completed, the MSRN is released. The
interrogation call routing function (request for MSRN) is part of the
MAP. All data exchanged between GMSC-HLR-MSC/VLR for the purpose
of interrogation is sent over S7 signaling. The MSRN is built up like an
MSISDN.

In GSM 900, the MSRN is composed of the following:

MSRN = CC + NDC + SN
• CC = Country Code
• NDC = National Destination Code
• SN = Subscriber Number

In GSM 1900 the MSRN is composed of the following:

MSRN = CC + NPA + SN
• CC = Country Code
• NPA = Number Planning Area
• SN = Subscriber Number
 MSRN

LOCATION AREA IDENTITY (LAI)

The LAI, used for paging, indicates to the MSC in which location area
the MS is operating. It is also used for location updating of mobile
subscribers.

The LAI contains the following:

LAI = MCC + MNC + LAC
• MCC = Mobile Country Code

Identical to IMSI MCC

• MNC = Mobile Network Code

Identical to IMSI MNC

• LAC = Location Area Code

The maximum length of LAC is 16 bits, enabling 65,536 different

location areas to be defined in one PLMN.
 LAI

ADDRESSING THE SWITCHING SYSTEM ENTITIES

GLOBAL TITLE (GT)
A Global Title (GT) is an identifying code, such as dialed digits, which
does not explicitly contain information that allows routing in the
signaling network. This requires the Signaling Connection Control Part
(SCCP) translation function. The GT is used for addressing signaling
information. Different numbering plans are used to distinguish different
networks.
• E.164 is the numbering plan for PSTN/ISDN
• E.212 is the numbering plan for GSM PLMN
Each network entity is identified by its international PSTN/ISDN
number. That is, its own command defined address which has the
following structure:
Example: E.164: CC + NDC(or NPA) + SN
The CC, NDC, and SN identify the node within the whole GSM, as well
as the entity. Entities include the HLR, MSC, VLR, EIR, and AUC.
During an incoming call to a mobile subscriber, the GMSC analyzes the
MSISDN to locate the appropriate HLR. The digits in the Subscriber
Number (MSISDN) are used for the signal routing to the HLR.

MOBILE GLOBAL TITLE (MGT)

When an MS is powered on in a PLMN, the VLR must communicate with
the MS’s HLR to perform location updating. The only data available in
the MSC/VLR for the SCCP addressing of the HLR is the IMSI number.
However, for signaling in the international PSTN/ISDN network, IMSI
can not be used. Thus, it is necessary to convert the IMSI number in
the MSC/VLR into a Global Title (GT), which enables routing of the S7
signaling to the proper HLR. This converted number is called the Mobile
Global Title (MGT).
Structure of the MGT
The MGT is of variable length and is composed of decimal digits
arranged in two specific parts. These specific parts are E.164 and
E.212. Together they form E.214.
The E.164 part is used to identify the home country and the home
PLMN of the mobile subscriber. The E.212 part is used to identify the
HLR the mobile subscriber is registered in and is composed of the
Mobile Station Identification Number (MSIN).

Derivation of the MGT

The MGT is derived from the IMSI as follows:
1. The CC is derived directly from the MCC.
2. The NDC is derived either from the MNC or from the MNC
and some initial digits of the MSIN.
3. The MSIN is mapped directly into the MGT up to its
maximum length.

This translation is performed during the IMSI analysis in the MSC/VLR.

It is initiated via commands.
LOCATION UPDATING
When the MS is powered on in an MSC/VLR service area, the MS must
carry out a Location Update. If the IMSI is not recognized in the VLR,
the VLR requests subscriber
information from the HLR where the MS’s subscription is held.
Remember, when a new subscription is taken out, the subscription
belongs to one HLR, and the MS becomes a visitor whenever it is
powered on in an MSC/VLR service area. The VLR uses MAP signaling to
communicate with the HLR to carry out a location update. All MAP
signaling uses the SCCP and the SCCP nodes are addressed using a
Global Title (GT). A
GT is similar to a dialed number and is based on the E.164 series. The
MS has only sent the IMSI up to the MSC/VLR, which is based on the
E.212 series, this is not a dialed number in the telephony network. For
the VLR to communicate with the HLR, the IMSI must be modified to a
format allowing it to be used in the SCCP network. This new number
series is referred to as a Mobile Global Title (MGT) and is based on the
E.214 series, 0 made up of the CC + NDC + MSIN. The CC identifies
the country code and the NDC the network. The MGT is only used for
Location Updating. This MGT is then used to route the MAP signal
through the SCCP network from a VLR to the subscribers HLR.

There are four different types of location updating:

Normal
IMSI
 detach
IMSI
 attach
Periodic
 registration
NORMAL LOCATION UPDATING

The Base Station of every cell continuously transmits the

location area identity on the control channel (BCCH). When the
mobile station detects that the broadcast location area identity is
different from the one stored in the SIM-card, it performs a
location update.
If the mobile subscriber is unknown to the Mobile Services
Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) (that
is, the broadcast location area belongs to a new MSC/VLR
serving area), then the new MSC/VLR must be updated with
subscriber information. This subscriber information comes from
the Home Location Register (HLR).

1. The mobile station requests a location update to be carried

out in the new MSC/VLR. IMSI is used to identify the
mobile station. An International Mobile Equipment Identity
(IMEI) check is also performed.

2. In the new MSC/VLR, an analysis of the IMSI number is

carried out. The result of this analysis is a modification of
IMSI to a Mobile Global Title (MGT), which is used to
address HLR.

3. The new MSC/VLR requests the subscriber information for

the mobile station from HLR.

4. HLR stores the address of the new MSC/VLR and HLR

sends the subscriber data to the new MSC/VLR.
When the new MSC/VLR receives the information from
HLR, it sends a location updating confirmation message to
the mobile station.

5. HLR also orders the old serving MSC/VLR to cancel all

information for the subscriber because the mobile subscriber
is now served by another MSC/VLR.
IMSI NUMBER SERIES ANALYSIS:
Whenever a new roaming agreement is taken out, the information on
how to convert the IMSI to a MGT must be specified in each MSC/VLR;
this needs to be specified even for
the PLMN’s own subscribers. The IMSI Number Series Analysis also
gives information about what the MS is allowed to do within the current
PLMN. This may differ from one roaming agreement to another.

IMSI DETACH
In the system information broadcast on the control channel
(BCCH), the mobile station receives information as to whether
the IMSI attach/detach function is used or not. If it is used, the
mobile station must inform the network when it enters an
inactive state (detach).

1. At power off or when the SIM card is taken out, the mobile
station asks for a signaling channel.
2. The mobile station uses this signaling channel to send the
IMSI detach message to MSC/VLR.
In VLR an IMSI detach flag is set for the subscriber. This is
used to reject incoming calls to the mobile station.
MS Power Off
Note: For WCDMA this traffic case applies exactly the same
way with RNC in place of BSC.
IMSI ATTACH
The IMSI attach is a complement to the IMSI detach procedure.
The mobile subscriber must inform the network that it has reentered
an active state. IMSI attach is only used if the mobile is
still in the same location area from when the Detach was
performed. If the mobile station changes location area while
being switched off, a normal location update takes place.
The IMSI attach procedure is as follows

1. The mobile station requests a signaling channel.

2. MSC/VLR receives the IMSI attach message from the
mobile station.
3. MSC/VLR sets the IMSI attach in VLR. The mobile is not
ready for normal call handling.
4. VLR returns an acknowledgment to MS.

PERIODIC LOCATION UPDATING

Periodic location updating is used to avoid unnecessary paging
of the mobile station in cases where MSC does not receive the
IMSI detach message.
The periodic location updating procedure,

1. The mobile station receives information as to whether

periodic registration is used. If periodic registration is used,
the mobile station is told how often to inform the system that
it is reachable. A special parameter is set by the operator and
it can have a value from 0 to 255 deci-hours. In cases where
the parameter is set to 0, periodic registration is not used in
the cell. If the parameter is set to 1, the mobile station must
register every six minutes (when the timer expires).

2. The procedure is controlled by timers both in the mobile

station .In MSC, there is a time-scanning function for the
mobile stations.

3. When the timer in the mobile station expires, the phone is

forced to perform periodic location updating.
The timers in the mobile station and MSC then
restart. If the cellular phone does not register within the
determined time interval plus a safety interval, MSC
scanning function detects this and the mobile station is
marked detached.

MOBILE ORIGINATED CALL

1 The MS sends a DTAP message to the MSC containing a
Bearer Capability (BC), the B-number, along with other
information describing the B-number. The other information
includes the B-number Type (BNT) and the Numbering Plan
(NP). The Bearer Capability (BC) describes the type of
service required for the call, e.g., it could be a telephony call
or a fax call or a data call or even a short message call. The
Numbering Plan Indicator (NAPI) always indicates that the
B-number is based on the E.164 series, NAPI=1 and the B-
number Type (BNT) usually indicates that the B-number is
of a type unknown, BNT=2. However, if the ‘+’ key (the ‘+’
key is used instead of the international access code, in the
UK 00, in Sweden 009) is used then BNT would indicate
that the B-number was in the international format BNT=1.

2. A whole range of analysis takes place in the MSC/VLR as

 indicated in Figure 7-2, before an outgoing route is selected.
3. The call would then be routed to other networks according to
B-number and Routing Case analysis. This could either be
towards a PSTN or ISDN network or possibly towards
another PLMN (GMSC )
Analysis function

For a mobile originated call to be routed, a number of functions are

required, as listed below.
B-number analysis

B-number analysis is carried out in two stages.

The first stage is b referred to as Pre-analysis of the B-number and then the
analysis
of the B-number takes place.

The pre-analysis acts as a filter and then as a selector. Due to the

pre-analysis, it is possible to reduce and simplify the number of
origins used in the B-number analysis tables.
 HANDOVER/HANDOFF:

HANDOVER IN GSM

During a call and during call setup, the mobile station

continuously measures the frequencies of neighboring cells,
compiles a measurement report, and sends this via BTS. BTS
adds its own measurements to BSC.
In BSC, the measurements are evaluated in the Locating
Procedure. BSC initiates the handover procedure if it finds that
one of the neighboring cells has a noticeably better signal
strength than the serving cell or that, for the serving cell, or the
bit error rate or the timing advance reaches a certain threshold.
How a handover is handled depends on which functional entities
the involved cells belong to. Two different cases must be
examined:
Intra-MSC
 handover — both cells belong to the same MSC.
There are two types of Intra-MSC handover defined:
Intra-BSC handover — both cells belong to the same BSC.
In this case, BSC manages most of the handover.
Inter-BSC handover — the two cells belong to different
BSCs, but to the same MSC. In this case, MSC is involved
in the signaling.
Inter-MSC
 handover — the two cells belong to different
MSCs. In this case, at least two MSCs are involved. This
case has some sub-cases, which are covered later. Inter-MSC
handover is defined as national handover only. According to
GSM, it works within one network only, that is, MSCs
belonging to one operator.
Handover in GSM is possible between 900 MHz and 1800
MHz. A mobile station ‘Classmark’ indicates the mobile
stations’ capabilities. ‘Classmark’ are signaling information
elements used to provide the network with information about the
mobile station equipment.
There are three mobile stations Classmark. Among the data
carried in mobile station Classmark 3 is an indication of whether
the mobile station is capable of supporting the 1800 MHz
frequency band.

In cellular telecommunications, the term handoff refers to the process

of transferring an ongoing call or data session from one channel
connected to the core network to another. In satellite communications
it is the process of transferring satellite control responsibility from one
earth station to another without loss or interruption of service.

Reasons why a handoff (handover) might be

conducted:

• when the phone is moving away from the area covered by one
cell and entering the area covered by another cell the call is
transferred to the second cell in order to avoid call termination
when the phone gets outside the range of the first cell;
• when the capacity for connecting new calls of a given cell is used
up and an existing or new call from a phone, which is located in
an area overlapped by another cell, is transferred to that cell in
order to free-up some capacity in the first cell for other users,
who can only be connected to that cell;
• in non-CDMA networks when the channel used by the phone
becomes interfered by another phone using the same channel in
a different cell, the call is transferred to a different channel in the
same cell or to a different channel in another cell in order to
avoid the interference;
• again in non-CDMA networks when the user behaviour changes,
e.g. when a fast-travelling user, connected to a large, umbrella-
type of cell, stops then the call may be transferred to a smaller
macro cell or even to a micro cell in order to free capacity on the
umbrella cell for other fast-travelling users and to reduce the
 potential interference to other cells or users (this works in
reverse too, when a user is detected to be moving faster than a
certain threshold, the call can be transferred to a larger
umbrella-type of cell in order to minimise the frequency of the
handoffs due to this movement);
• in CDMA networks a soft handoff (see further down) may be
induced in order to reduce the interference to a smaller
neighbouring cell due to the "near-far" effect even when the
phone still has an excellent connection to its current cell

In addition to the classification of inter-cell and intra-cell

classification of handoffs, they also can be divided into hard and
soft handoffs:

A hard handoff is one in which the channel in the source cell is

released and only then the channel in the target cell is engaged.
Thus the connection to the source is broken before the connection
to the target is made -- for this reason such handoffs are also known
as break-before-make. Hard handoffs are intended to be
instantaneous in order to minimise the disruption to the call. A hard
handoff is perceived by network engineers as an event during the
call. An advantage of the hard handoff is that at any moment in
time one call uses only one channel. The hard handoff event is
indeed very short and usually is not perceptible by the user

Another advantage of the hard handoff is that the phone's hardware

does not need to be capable of receiving two or more channels in
parallel, which makes it cheaper and simpler. A disadvantage is that
if a handoff fails the call may be temporarily disrupted or even
terminated abnormally. Technologies, which utilise hard handoffs,
usually have procedures which can re-establish the connection to
the source cell if the connection to the target cell cannot be made.

A soft handoff is one in which the channel in the source cell is

retained and used for a while in parallel with the channel in the
target cell. In this case the connection to the target is established
before the connection to the source is broken, hence this handoff is
called make-before-break. The interval, during which the two
connections are used in parallel, may be brief or substantial. For
this reason the soft handoff is perceived by network engineers as a
state of the call, rather than a brief event. A soft handoff may
involve using connections to more than two cells, e.g. connections
to three, four or more cells can be maintained by one phone at the
same time. When a call is in a state of soft handoff the signal of the
best of all used channels can be utilised for the call at a given
moment or all the signals can be combined to produce a clearer
copy of the signal. The latter is more advantageous, and when such
combining is performed both in the downlink (forward link) and the
uplink (reverse link) the handoff is termed as softer. Softer handoffs
are possible when the cells involved in the handoff have a single
cell site.

The advantage of the soft handoffs is that the connection to the

source cell is broken only when a reliable connection to the target
cell has been established and therefore the chances that the call
will be terminated abnormally due to a failed handoff are lower.
However, by far a bigger advantage comes from the mere fact that
simultaneously channels in multiple cells are maintained and the
call could only fail if all of the channels are interfered or fade at the
same time. Fading and interference in different channels are
unrelated and therefore the probability of them taking place at one
the same moment in all channels is very low. Thus the reliability of
the connection becomes higher when the call is in a soft handoff.

This advantage comes at the cost of more complex hardware in the

phone, which must be capable of processing several channels in
parallel. Another price to pay for soft handoffs is use of several
channels in the network to support just a single call. This reduces
the number of remaining free channels and thus reduces the
capacity of the network. By adjusting the duration of soft handoffs
and the size of the areas, in which they occur, the network
engineers can balance the benefit of extra call reliability against the
price of reduced capacity.
GSM IMPLEMENTATION AND PROCESSES

CONCEPT OF LDCA & SDCA

* LDCA stands for Long Distance Charging Area.

* Indian Telecom network is divided into no. of LDCA’s
* Each LDCA consists of one or more SDCA’s, which are also known
as Local
Areas.
* Each SDCA has one or more no. of exchanges.
* Each LDCA has a Long Distance Charging Center (LDCC),
which is a Trunk
Automatic Exchange (TAX).
* ITU Recommendation E.164 provides four options for National
Destination code
(NDC) structure. India has adopted type-2 structure of PSTN
where NDC is trunk
(Area) code assigned to each SDCA. Each SDCA is allotted a
unique trunk code.
There are at present 2642 SDCA’s distributed in 322 LDCA’s.
* SDCA stands for Short Distance Charging Area.
* Each SDCA has a Short Distance Charging Center (SDCC).
* Normally each SDCC is an integrated local-cum-tandem or a
transit switch.
* In certain cases SDCC itself may also be LDCC.
* Each SDCA covers one or more Taluka or other administrative
areas.
* The size of SDCA generally varies between 800 sq. kms. To 2000
sq. kms.

Channel Associated Signaling

 Access signaling Inter-exchange signaling Access signaling

A
Off hook B
Dial tone
B-number
Seizure
Line signal

B-number
Register signal

B-number
B-status
Register signa l
Ringing tone Ringing signal
B-answer
Line sig nal Off hook
B
Call communicat ion: Speech/Data/Fax
Clear backward
Line sig nal On hook
Clear forward B
On hook Line signal
A Release guard
Line sig nal

Channel associated signaling E1 frame

 Frame alignment Line signals

Register signals Register signals

in traffic channels in traffic channels

0 1 15 16 17 31
 Differentiation of Speech and
Signaling

Signaling

Signaling

Speech
Speech

Main features:

• Speed
• High capacity
• Better economy
• Reliability
• Flexibility
 Example of Users of SS7 signaling:

PLMN IN
MAP INAP

Common Channel
Signaling System No. 7

PSTN ISDN
TUP ISUP

Concepts in CCS:

• SS7, SS7, No.7, #7

• SS7 often used for national networks
• C6 often used for international networks
• Signaling link
• Signaling link set
• Signaling point
• Signaling transfer point
• Network indicator
• Originating/Destination point code
Main terms used in SS7:

STP
SL
LS LS

LS, SL

SP SP

SP Signaling Point
STP Signaling Transfer Point
OWNSP Own Signaling Point value
 MESSAGE TRANSFER (SMSC)
VLR connection to SMSC
IDEA TO IDEA SMS DELIEVERY
OTHER TO IDEA SMS DELIEVERY

MS1 (other operator) sends a SMS to MS2 (Idea)

1. Through their GMSC it reach to our GMSC

2. Our GMSC sends a query to HLR to find where is Subs B
(MS2)
3. HLR reply that MS2 is in MSC-X
4. SMSC submit the SMS to Our GMSC
5. Our GMSC delivers the MSC-X
6. Once MS2 get the SMS, SMSC send a delivery report to
MS1
 VAS
(VALUE ADDED SERVICES)
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

1. www.wikipedia.org
www.ideacellular.com
Student Manual provided at the IDEA office.