SMO (Service Management and Orchestration)

In telecom networks, the SMO is the O-RAN management framework that orchestrates RAN network functions, hosts the Non-Real-Time RIC and rApps, and manages the underlying O-Cloud through the O2 interface. It is responsible for configuration, fault, performance, and lifecycle of disaggregated RAN components.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkCloud and Virtualization

SMO 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.

The mobile core carries subscriber sessions, mobility and policy. 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.

To place SMO in the wider telecom-security picture, review SBOM, O-Cloud, 5G, 5G SA, 5G NSA and A5/3 — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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.