Interconnection

Interconnection is the joining of two telecom networks so that subscribers on each can reach the other and compatible services can be invoked end to end. Interconnection involves commercial agreements, technical specifications (signalling protocols, codecs, transport), and increasingly a security baseline (SS7/Diameter/N32 firewalling and monitoring) negotiated alongside the business terms.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSignaling

Interconnection in context

The radio access network is the layer where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations, downgrade attacks and jamming, and defenses hinge on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

The mobile core is where subscriber sessions, mobility and policy live. In 4G it is the EPC (MME, HSS, S/PGW); in 5G it is the Service-Based Architecture with AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM and the NRF. Core exposure is the difference between a single-subscriber leak and a fleet-wide breach.

To place Interconnection in the wider telecom-security picture, review Mobile Network, Capacity Planning, CAPEX, Fuzzing, IMS and IPsec.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • Signaling Firewall Unified SS7/Diameter/GTP/SMS signaling firewall framework.
  • SS7 Firewall GSMA FS.11 category 1/2/3 SS7 message screening at the STP edge.
  • Diameter Firewall GSMA FS.19 screening at the Diameter Edge Agent on S6a/S9/S13.
  • SS7 Security SS7/MAP/CAP/SCCP attacks and defenses across 2G/3G interconnect.

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.