UNIT III

GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

GSM Network signaling - GSM Mobility management GSM short message service- International roaming
for GSM - GSM operation, Administration and maintenance - Mobile number Mobile number
portability’s, VoIP service for mobile networks.

GSM System Architecture

The architecture consists of three major interconnected subsystems that interact between themselves and
with the users through certain network interfaces. The subsystems are the Base Station Subsystem (BSS),
Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS), and the Operation support Subsystem (OSS).The BSS, also
known as the radio subsystem, provides and manages radio transmission paths between the mobile stations
and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The BSS also manages the radio interface between the mobile
stations and all other subsystems of GSM. Each BSS consists of many Base Station Controllers (BSCs)
which connect the MS to the NSS via the MSCs. The NSS manages the switching functions of the system
and allows the MSCs to communicate with other networks such as the PSTN and ISDN.

Figure shows the block diagram of the GSM system architecture.

The OSS supports the operation and maintenance of GSM and allows system engineers to monitor
diagnose, and troubleshoot all aspects of the GSM system. This subsystem interacts with the other GSM
subsystems, and is provided solely for the GSM operating company which provides service facilities for
the network.

The Mobile Stations (MS) communicate with the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) over the radio air
interface. The BSS consists of many BSCs which connect to a single MSC, and each BSC typically
controls up to several hundred Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs). Some of the BTSs may be co-located at
the BSC, and others may be remotely distributed and physically connected to the BSC by microwave link
or dedicated leased lines. Mobile handoffs (called handovers, the interface which connects a BTS to a
BSC is called the Abis interface. The Abis interface carries traffic and maintenance data, and is specified
by GSM to be standardized for all manufacturers. In practice, however, the Abis for each GSM base
station manufacturer has subtle differences, thereby forcing service providers to use the same
manufacturer for the BTS and BSC equipment.

GSM Radio Air Interface

The BSCs are physically connected via dedicated/leased lines or microwave link to the MSC. The
interface between a BSC and a MSC is called A interface. An interface uses an SS7 protocol. The NSS
handles the switching of GSM calls between external networks and the BSCs in the radio subsystem and is
also responsible for managing and providing external access to several customer databases. The MSC is
the central unit in the NSS and controls the traffic among all of the BSCs. In the NSS, there are three
different databases-called the Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), and the
Authentication Center (AUC).

The HLR is a database which contains subscriber information and location information for each
(IMSI), and VLR is a database which temporarily stores the IMSI and customer information for each
roaming subscriber who is visiting the coverage area of a particular MSC. The VLR is linked between
several adjoining MSCS in a particular market or` geographic region and contains subscription
information of every visiting user in the area. Once a roaming mobile is logged in the VLR, the MSC
sends the necessary information to the visiting subscriber’s HLR so that calls to the roaming mobile can
be appropriately routed over the PSTN by the roaming user’s HLR. The interface structure has been
modified to accommodate higher data rate services for PCS.

The Authentication Center AUC is used in security data management for the authentication of
subscibers.AUC may be collocated with HLR.
GSM network signaling

The figure shows various network signaling protocols used by the entity interface in GSM.
The GSM architecture can be partitioned into three parts.

• Databases
• Switches
• Radio Systems

Fig.GSM network signaling protocols

Signaling Interfaces:

Radio systems
• BTS with MSs through the radio interface Um.
• BSC with other BTSs through the A-bis interface, using the ISDN link access protocol for D
channel (LAPD).
 • BSC with MSC through the A interface, using a signaling protocol compatible with telephone
network.

Switches
• MSC(GMSC) communicates with an SSP in the PSTN using the SS7/ISUP protocol.
• Two MSC with each other through the E interface.
• MSC with HLR through the C interface.
• MSC with VLR through the B interface.
• MSC with EIR through the F interface.

Databases
• HLR with VLR through the D interface.
• VLRs with each other through the G interface.

GSM MAP (Mobile Application Part)

Software platform for implementing the signaling protocol used in the B, C, D, E, F and G
interface is illustrated in Fig. The GSM MAP is an application of the SS7 protocol

OSI GSM MAP

Service User Mobile
Application Service Application
Presentation Provider Part (MAP)
Session
Transport
Transaction Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP)

Network
Signaling Connection
Control Part(SCCP)

Data Message Transfer Part (MTP)

link
Physical

GSM MAP Protocol hierarchy

GSM MAP uses Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) classes 0 and 1 connectionless services that
provide efficient routing with or without maintaining message sequencing between two or more messages.
The network entities may consist of several application service element (ASEs).SCCP addresses these
ASEs with subsystem numbers (SSNs)

For intra-GSM network message delivery the destination address of the message may be a
simple destination point code (DPC) that can be used by the MTP for direct routing. For inter-GSM
network message delivery the SCCP translates the actual destination address by Global Title Translation
(GTT).
GSM Short Message Service.

• SMS (Short Message Service) is the transmission of short text messages to and from a mobile
phone, or any other device capable of generating the SMS. It is composed of a maximum of 160
characters, each coded on 7 bits (GSM) or 140 bytes.
• End to end SMS delivery completes in two parts, First SMS submission in SMSC (Short Message
Service Centre) by originating subscriber, second Delivery of SMS to recipient subscriber. So
SMS is a Stored and Forward Service.
• Once a message is sent, it is received by a Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) of the calling
subscriber’s network, which then delivers it to the appropriate destination device. In the GSM
SMS delivery, SMS termination does not require the SMSC of the recipient subscriber’s Operator.
However In CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) network or GSM to CDMA SMS transfer, or
in case of some services like Push SMS, the recipient SMSC is also used for terminating the SMS
to the recipient. In all these types of SMS transfer, the air interface-signaling channel is extensively
used for terminating the SMS traffic.
• SMS uses the signaling channel (not dedicated), so it can be sent/received simultaneously with the
voice/data/fax service over a network.

SMS Text Length:

The “short” part refers to the maximum size of the text messages: 160 characters (letters, numbers or
symbols in the Latin alphabet). For other alphabets, such as Chinese, the maximum SMS size is 70
characters.
Types of SMS :
With the growing convergence Technology of networks and services, SMS can be send from a mobile
phone, fixed phone, or even via the Internet. On the basis of originating and terminating identities, SMS
can be broadly classified into the following 4 categories: P2P, A2P, P2N & I2P.

• P2P (Person to Person) : In Person to Person (P2P) mode, the SMS is between two individual
subscribers. The SMSC or originating operator stores the SMS & sends it to the recipient, either
directly or in case of GSM to CDMA or CDMA to CDMA network, through the SMSC of the
terminating operator.
• A2P (Application/Advertiser to Person): In Advertiser/Application to Person (A2P) SMS mode,
advertising agencies have a commercial agreement with one or more service providers. Advertisers
provide the messages and mobile numbers to an operator, who then sends the messages in
 broadcast mode to the recipients. If the SMS transfer is on-net, then SMS moves only within the
network of one operator and hence there is no issue of loading resources of other operators, but if
the recipient subscriber is attached with another operator, then the resources of the terminating
operator are also used for delivering of such SMSs. This type of SMS delivery is also termed as
Push method.
• P2N (Person to Network) or P2A (Person to Application) : The Person to Network (P2N) SMSs
are usually an on-net service. In this type mode, the content provider usually has a revenue share
agreement with the service provider. The operator gives the content provider a 4-5 digit short SMS
code. The content provider then uses the short codes to provide different kinds of services like
astrology information, ring tones, picture downloads, tele-voting, games, etc. Operators charge
premium rate for these SMS to the short codes.
• I2P (Internet to Person): The Internet to Person (I2P) arrangement allowed by some operators
with the provision of a web interface enables a person to send an SMS from the Internet to mobile
subscribers. They also accept SMS originating from the Internet messaging web sites.
Basic SMS Network Element :
• SMSC
• HLR
• MSC
• VLR
• BSC
• BTS
• UE (User Equipment : Mobile/Laptop/Fixed Phone)
SMS is carried on a signaling channel of air interface from mobile handsets to the Base Transceiver
Station (BTS), and thereafter it is carried on the Signaling System 7 (SS7) signalling channel throughout
BSC, MSC/VLR, and SMSC.
Basic SMS Call Flow :
End to end SMS transaction completes in 2 parts:
• Message submission by originating subscriber to its SMSC (Mobile Originating Part)
• Message delivery by SMSC to recipient Subscriber (Mobile terminating Part)
Basic end to end SMS call flow shown in following diagram :
 Fig.GSM SMS Architecture

Operation

Mobile Terminated

Step 1. The short message is first delivered from the message sender (e.g., GSM MS or a paging input
device) to a Short Message Service Center (SM--SC).

Step 2. The SM-SC is connected to the GSM network through a GSM MSC, SMS GMSC.

Step 3. Following the GSM roaming protocol GSM roaming protocol, the SMS GMSC locates the current
MSC of the message receiver and forwards the message to the MSC

Step 4. The MSC broadcasts the message to BSS, and BTS page the destination MS.

Step 5. The MS used for short message services must contain special software to enable the messages to
be decoded and stored.

• The logical message path is SM--SC SC --> GMSC > GMSC --> >terminating MSC terminating
MSC --> MS.
• Short messages can be stored either in the SIM or in the memory of ME for display on the standard
screen of the MS.

Mobile Originated

Step 1. An MS may send or reply a short message by delivering to a short message service Inter -working
MSC (IWMSC) MSC (IWMSC) and then to the SM--SC.

Step 2. The recipient of the short message can be an MS, a fax machine, or a PC connected to the Internet.

• The logical message path is MS -> IWMSC -> SM-SC

• Experience indicates that mobile--originating traffic originating traffic is around 20 percent of
mobile--terminating traffic.

The Role of SM-SC

 • For supporting high-quality SMS service
• An SM-SC should be scalable, with high availability and reliability.
• The SM-SCs are typically implemented on high-speed server platforms.
• Exiting SM-SC products support TCP/IP access, and many of them can accommodate new
data protocols,e.g., Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

SMS Originating Part – MO SM Submit :

• The SM is sent from the originating Mobile Station (MS) to the serving Mobile Switching Center
(MSC). The address of the SMSC where the SM should be submitted to is stored on the SIM card
of the subscriber and forwarded to the MSC with the message.
• The MSC forwards the SM to the SMSC. The SMSC returns a positive (ACK) or negative
(NACK) response indicating whether the message was successfully stored of not.
SMS Terminating Part – MT SM Deliver :

• To delivers a SM SMSC has to find out the location (serving MSC) and the International Mobile
Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the recipient subscriber first. This information (routing information)
is retrieved from the Home Location Register (HLR) of the recipient subscriber based on the
recipient number (MSISDN).
• HLR Provides routing Information to SMSC, which includes IMSI and serving MSC of recipient
number.
• Based on routing information SMSC delivers SM to the serving MSC and MSC forwards it to the
recipient Mobile Station.
SMS Delivery Report :
Successful Delivery – On successful delivery SMSC sends delivery report to the originator if requested.
Failed Delivery – If SMS is not delivered to the recipient number SMSC send failure reason to the
originator.
• Permanent Error : For example – Unknown Subscriber

• Temporary Error : For example – Absent Subscriber

SMSC Retry: In case of temporary errors the SMSC schedules a next delivery attempt, called SMSC
retry.
Network Trigger: If the subscriber is not reachable (absent) the SMSC notifies the HLR that there is a
message waiting for the recipient number. When the HLR detects the presence of the subscriber, it alerts
the SMSC and SMSC forwards SM to the serving MSC.
Regular SMS Messages :
Send Routing Information for Short Message (SRI-SM):
Between Origin SMSC and Destination HLR, to retrieve the routing information needed for routing the
short message to the servicing MSC.
Mobile Originating Forward Short Message (MO Forward SM):
Between Origin MSC and Origin SMSC, to forward mobile originated short messages.
Mobile Terminating Forward Short Message (MT Forward SM):
Between Origin SMSC and Destination MSC, to forward mobile terminated short messages.
Send-Info-For-MO-SMS:
Between the Origin MSC and VLR, to request subscriber related information from the VLR.
Send-Info-For-MT-SMS:
Between the Destination MSC and VLR, to request subscriber related information from the VLR.
Report Short Message Delivery Status:
Between Origin SMSC and Destination HLR, to set the Message Waiting Data into the HLR or to
inform the HLR of successful SM transfers after polling.
Alert Service Centre:
Between Destination HLR and Origin SMSC, to inform SMSC that a subscriber, whose MSISDN is in
the Message Waiting Data file, is active or the MS has memory available.
Inform Service Centre:
Between Destination HLR and Origin SMSC, to inform the SMSC which MSISDN number is stored in
the Message Waiting Data file, or to provide status on different messaging flags.
Ready For Short Message:
Between the Destination MSC and Destination VLR as well as between the Destination VLR and the
Destination HLR. The MSC initiates this service if a subscriber indicates memory available situation.
The VLR uses the service to indicate this to the HLR.
SMS Applications :
• Text message exchange between Mobile subscribers.
• Ring Tone
• Logo
• Stock Information
• Tele-Voting (TV Show)
• Vending machine Remote Management
VOIP SERVICE FOR MOBILE NETWORKS
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP is a technology that allows for the transmission of voice communications over the internet.
This technology has been implemented to transmit voice calls between fixed-line telephones and the
benefit for travellers is that VoIP enables communication from a computer to VoIP land lines, other
computers and VoIP enabled mobile phones.

A user accesses the internet and downloads a VoIP software program onto the computer. Some VoIP
software programs are free whilst some require a subscription fee. The user can then initiate a
conversation with particular users who have a compatible VoIP capability enabled on their phone line,
mobile or computer. Next, the user speaks into a microphone connected to the computer. The VoIP
program then converts the sound into a digital signal and transmits it via the internet to the recipient’s
device. The recipient’s VoIP device then converts the digital signal back into sound and conveys the voice
to the listener. The quality and speed of VoIP calls are virtually the same and sometimes better than other
voice services.

Vodafone Australia’s submission to the inquiry stated that many areas frequented by travellers
such as airports, hotels and cafes have wireless internet access and thus VoIP communication is a viable
substitute.13 The submission to the inquiry by AMTA further supports the notion that a wide range of
internet resources are available to travelers and that VoIP provides an almost perfect alternative to
international mobile roaming.

The AMTA submission further notes that a range of mobile devices are emerging which can access
the internet and run VoIP programs, thus increasing the applicability of VoIP communication as a
substitute to international roaming.15 However the Committee notes that accessing the internet from these
mobile devices whilst overseas would presumably incur international data roaming charges which may in
turn make the use of VoIP on mobile devices significantly less cost effective.

The Committee notes that some of the limitation’s outlined in the ACCC’s review apply to the use
of VoIP. Namely, VoIP services (with exception of VoIP on mobile devices) do not provide the mobility
or ease of contact as do international mobile roaming voice services.16
Mobile VoIP works with a cell phone’s 3G, 4G, GSM, or other Internet service to send voice calls
as digital signals over the Internet using voice over IP technology. Mobile VoIP phones can also take
advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots to eliminate the calling costs of a cellular voice or data plan.

By using VoIP, mobile VoIP phone users — especially smartphone users — can benefit from
lower costs when calling, texting, or other common smartphone activities. Digital data transmission using
VoIP is also typically faster, as the data is spread out over multiple packets, each taking the fastest route to
its intended destination.

A mobile VoIP phone service can eliminate the need for a basic voice plan, as well as optional
(and costly) text add-ons. With a mobile VoIP phone, cell phone users can enjoy more flexibility in calling
times than a cellular voice plan provides, with fewer restrictions. VoIP mobile phone service means that a
mobile VoIP user can make unlimited inexpensive or free calls using voice over IP technology at any
time.

Mobile VoIP users don't need to worry about the limitations associated with cell phone calling plans, such
as:
• Anytime minutes
• Night or weekend minutes
• Rollover minutes
• Roaming charges
• Incoming call charges
• Messaging limits
• Mobile-to-mobile

Accessing Mobile VoIP

 Cell phone users can use mobile VoIP service on their phone with the addition of mobile VoIP
software. These are apps offered by VoIP phone service providers customers may already be using at
home or at work, such as Vonage, or standalone mobile VoIP apps such as Skype, Vyke,orTruphone.

Some services, such as Truphone, also offer an entire mobile VoIP network by combining a SIM
(Subscriber Identity Module) card and an app together. (The SIM card contains all the information needed
to identify network subscribers.) One functions where the other doesn’t, depending on the circumstance, to
offer a comprehensive mobile VoIP network service.
Benefits of Mobile VoIP
Mobile VoIP phone users can benefit from voice over IP services to lower their monthly phone
bills. Some cell phone users will take advantage of mobile VoIP phone service to eliminate their voice
plans. Using mobile VoIP can result in a simple, data-plan-only relationship with your cell phone
carrier. Choosing a data-only plan can result in significant savings.
GSM MOBILITY MANAGEMENT

Mobility Management (MM-Layer)

Manages problem that arise from mobility of the subscriber. The ideal situation is when system
always knows where the subscriber is located (what cell) in each moment. But this will cause the
subscriber to update the system on every move, and this means a lot of obsolete update messages, wasting
bandwidth. Another extreme situation is when system never knows subscriber’s position, but this will
cause the system to look for the user over the whole geographical area, that means a lot of paging
messages on every terminating call. Strategy used by GSM is as following, group of neighbor cells is
grouped in one location area and subscriber updates its position when moving from one location area to
another.

Figure. Registering to Mobile Switching Center (MSC).

 Paging is done only in the current location area. The only question is "what division of cells to
location areas is optimal” There are various algorithms for solving this problem; they are mostly based
statistical data.As seen from the Figure, when a subscriber registers to MSC it sends registration message
that contains subscriber’s information. MSC updates its VLR and sends a message to subscriber’s HLR.

Mobility management allows mobile users to make use of network services and be reachable to
other communication parties while they move around. There are several aspects to mobility. We talk about
terminal mobility referring to the fact that the terminal moves under the coverage area of the network or
between networks. Similarly, we talk about user mobility. Service mobility refers to a phenomenon of
moving between networks of different or the same type while a service is being used. The particular
feature of mobility that users can move to networks owned by a different administration than their home
network is called roaming.

Mobility can be seamless or not. Mobility is seamless when service quality does not suffer when the
device moves from one area to another or from one network to another. Mobility management for voice
services has proven to be very valuable. Users are quite willing to pay higher prices for a mobile service
than for a fixed service. Mobility management is also quite complex. This is proven by the fact that
actually only a handful of companies have been able to create a rich and successful portfolio of products
supporting mobile communication services.
MAP is the protocol that provides the mobility management for GSM and 3G networks. Other
solutions for mobility management, mainly data protocol driven such as Mobile IP, have been proposed as
well.
None of them at least so far come even close in value to mobility management in GSM and 3G
based on MAP. MAP provides the additional core network signaling capability that is needed besides
ISUP because of the fact the access is based on radio and the fact that users can move around with their
mobile stations.
GSM Authentication and security
Authentication and security
Since the radio medium may be accessed by anyone, authentication is used to prove that the users are who
they claim to be. Each subscriber is given a secret key that is recorded in subscriber’s SIM and
Authentication Center (AuC), during authentication AuC generates a random number that is sent to
mobile. Using the secret key and this random number mobile produces a response using ciphering
algorithm A3. The response number should be equal to the one calculated by AuC.
The same initial random number in conjunction with secret key is used to generate the ciphering key using
A8 algorithm. This ciphering key together with TDMA frame number is used compute a sequence that is
XORed with the sent data.

CONNECTION MANAGEMENT (CM-LAYER)

Figure. Paging process.

An incoming mobile termination call is directed to Gateway MSC (GMSC). GMSC is basically a switch,
which is able to interrogate the subscribers HLR to obtain routing information. The routing information
that is returned to GMS is the Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN). MSRN are related to the
geographical numbering plan, and not assigned to subscribers. To obtain subscriber’s MSRN, subscriber’s
HLR have to query subscriber’s current VLR.
International Roaming for GSM
GSM supports roaming services that allow a subscriber in a GSM network to receive mobile telephony
service when the user visits a different GSM network.If both GSM network are within the same country
call setup for a roamer can be done efficiently. However if the networks are located in different countries
the current GSM implementation for call delivery to the roamer can be very expensive.
Reducing the international call delivery cost:
To avoid unnecessary international trunk setups an IAM messages should not travel across country
boundaries before the destination is known.
A basic restrictions is the we should not introduce any new message types to the GSM MAP protocol
defined in GSM specifications 09.02, that is the solutions utilize only existing messages with prefix MAP.
The roamer location cache(RLC) in a visited system maintains a database containing the records of all
international roamers who are presently in RLC visited location.
Three Scenarios for GSM
Consider that John, a GSM subscriber in Taiwan, roams to Singapore. His friend, Jenny, makes a mobile
phone to John.
Scenario 1
• Jenny is a GSM subscriber in Taiwan and calls John by her mobile phone.
• Jenny is charged for a local GSM call.
• John is charged for an international call from Taiwan to Singapore.
Scenario 2
• Jenny is a GSM user from a third country (e.g., Hong Kong).
• Jenny is in Hong Kong and makes a call to John’s GSM MS.
• Jenny is charged for an international call from Hong Kong to Taiwan.
• John is charged for an international call from Taiwan to Singapore.
Scenario 3
• Both Jenny and John are in Singapore.
• Jenny is charged for an international call from Singapore to Taiwan.
• John is charged for an international call from Taiwan to Singapore.
• Scenario 3 is in fact a special case of Scenario 2.
• This case is referred to as Tromboning.
International GSM Call Setup
International Switch Centers
• Consider the Scenario 3.
• Each country has a national network.
• The call path of every international call is composed of three segments:
• One in the origination country
• The second in the international network
• The third in the destination country
• International Switch Center (ISC) in each national network is used to connect to an international
network.
• ISCs offer inter-working functions between the national networks and the international network.
• Two ISCs are involved in the
voice path.
International Call Setup Procedure

Step 1
• Jenny dials the phone number:
International Switch Center Access Code (ISCA) + the Country Code (CC) + John’s MSISDN.
MSISDN = National Destination Code (NDC) + 6-digit Subscriber Number (SN)
• Step 1.1. When Switch A interprets the ISCA, it sets up the call to Singapore’s ISC B.
• Step 1.2. Based on the CC, ISC B routes the call to Taiwan ISC C.
• Step 1.3. ISC C interprets the NDC, and sets up the voice trunk to GMSC D.
Step 2. GMSC D queries HLR E to obtain the MSRN.
Steps 3 and 4. HLR E queries VLR F to conform MS location.
3.1→3.2→3.3→4.1→4.2→4.3
Step 5. The MSRN is sent to GMSC D.
Step 6. GMSC D sets up the trunk to MSC G.
GSM Operations, Administration, and Maintenance
To manage the network GSM requires OA&M functions follow the standard Telecommunication
Management Network (TMN) concept
Workstations(WS)
Operations System(OS)
Workstation Functions
(x) Operations System (WSFs)
To another Functions (OSF)
TMN Data Communications Function (DCF)
Data Communications Function (DCF)

(g)

(f)
To operating staff
(q3)

Mediation Device(MD)
(q3)
Data Communications Function (DCF)

Mediation Functions
(MFs)

Data Communications
Network(DCN)
(qx)

Data Communications Function (DCF)

Data Communications Function (DCF)
Network Element Functions
The TMN Component
Q-Adaptor Functions
(NEFs)
(QAFs)

Operations System (OS)

Q-Adaptor(QA) Network Element(NE)

With the operations system function (OSF), the OS is responsible for the overall TMN management
billing, accounting, management of mobile equipment, HLR measurement
Reside in an operation and maintenance center (OMC)
Network Element (NE)
NEs in GSM are HLR, VLR, MSC, AuC, BSC, BTS, EIR monitored or controlled by the OS
Network Element Functions (NEFs) represent the telecommunications and support functions to be
managed by the OS
Data Communication Network (DCN)
The OSs, NEs, and other TMN elements communicate through DCN by using data communication
function (DCF)
The DCN technology can be WAN, LAN, or others
The GSM OMC typically connects to MSCs and BSCs by X.25
Mediation Device (MD)
The MD adapts the OS to the specific NEs
Uses the mediation function (MF) to route or pass information between standardized interface
Q-Adapter (QA)
Use the Q-adaptor function (QAF) to connect the non-TMN entities
Workstation (WS)
Interacts the operation/maintenance personnel with the OS through the workstation functions (WSFs)
With WSFs, staff access the status of the network and monitor the system parameters
Mobile number portability
Mechanisms
In mobile service, the network tracks the location of every MS . The location information is stored in two
mobile databases, the HLR and the VLR to deliver a call to an MS , the databases are queried for routing
information via the MSC where the MS resides . The GMSC must be in the call path for the provision of
special features and services , as well as for billing .
Requirement is that any mobile (e.g., GSM) subscriber be able to move to a new operator or service
provider and keep the same number (MSISDN).
Three types of number portability: service provider portability, location portability and service portability.

Service provider portability-It enables a customer to retain his existing mobile number when changing
from one service provider to another in the same area.
Location portability- It enables a customer to retain his existing mobile number without impairment of
quality, convenience or reliability when shifting from one geographic location to another.
Service portability-It enables a customer to retain his existing mobile number without impairment of
quality, convenience or reliability when switching from one service technology to another service
technology—for example, from CDMA to GSM.
FRAME STRUCTURE OF GSM SLOT