Satellite Backhaul (Satellite Transport Backhaul)

Also known as: Satellite transport, SatCom backhaul

Satellite backhaul carries mobile network transport (S1, N2, N3, X2, Xn, O-RAN fronthaul or Iuh) over GEO, MEO or LEO satellite links, typically for remote coverage, disaster recovery and maritime or aviation deployments. Security considerations include high round-trip latency stressing IPsec and GTP timers, exposure of signalling to satellite ground segments, and the need for end-to-end IPsec and integrity protection across the space link, aligned with 3GPP NTN work.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsInternet and Routing

Satellite Backhaul in context

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

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

To place Satellite Backhaul in the wider telecom-security picture, review 6G, Fronthaul, GNSS Spoofing, RRH, WAN and P-CSCF: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • GTP Security GTP-C/GTP-U threats across S5/S8, N3/N9 and GRX/IPX borders under GSMA FS.20.
  • GTP Firewall GSMA FS.20 GTP-C/GTP-U screening on GRX/IPX borders.
  • Signaling Firewall Unified SS7/Diameter/GTP/SMS signaling firewall framework.
  • 5G NEF Security Network Exposure Function security in the 5G core.

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

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