MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)

Mean Time Between Failures is the expected average time between failures of a repairable system, computed across the operating fleet. MTBF is a manufacturer-supplied reliability spec for telecom equipment and feeds into availability calculations alongside MTTR. It is most useful when interpreted with the assumed failure distribution and operating conditions.

Categories: Operations and BusinessInternet and Routing

MTBF in context

OSS/BSS platforms hold the highest-value subscriber and revenue data on the operator side, are heavily targeted for fraud and insider abuse, and are in scope for NIS2 and the UK Telecoms Security Act.

Telecom networks depend on Internet-style routing (BGP, DNS, MPLS) for interconnect. Route hijacks and DNS abuse can degrade or intercept signaling, which is why RPKI and DNSSEC are now standard hardening for carrier networks.

To place MTBF in the wider telecom-security picture, review 3GPP, BSS, DSLAM, IP Address, Mediation System and Order Management — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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