Lukas' Notes

Mobile Switching Center

1 min read

mobile-communication

Definition

Mobile Switching Center

The Mobile Switching Center (MSC) is used for controlling connections via a switching network from and to the mobile subscriber located in the MSC’s occupied zone. Several BSCs can be connected to a single MSC.

It is a component of the GSM architecture.

Role in GSM

  • Switching functions
  • Additional functions to support subscriber mobility
  • Management of network resources
  • Connection to other networks (MSC Gateway, GMSC)
  • Integration of various databases

The most important functions of MSCS are:

  • Call specific functions related to mobility
  • Completion and processing of signaling (ZZK7)
  • Management of mobile-specific signaling processes
  • Location registration and processing of location information
  • Provision of new service types (fax, data calls)
  • Support of the short message service (SMS)
  • Generation of forwarding of billing data

Graph View