Proximus is BroadForward's latest client. The Belgian operator wants to phase out its legacy STP hardware for SMS and signaling messages over 2G and has opted for the software-based solution by the Amersfoort-based company. Although many operators are turning off 2G and have since replaced the obsolete STP hardware with IP-based tools, the technology remains important. After all, every operator wants to continue delivering messages from and to foreign countries, says BroadForward's technical consultant Boudewijn van de Moesdijk.
Signaling Transfer Points (STPs) are network devices providing SMS and signaling messages, such as for verification and call routing. The technology is based on the legacy network protocol SS7 over 2G. Many modern networks have now switched to IP technology for such messages and are in the process of eliminating 2G. According to Van de Moesdijk this does not mean that network operators can simply decommission all STP hardware and the SS7 protocol, even if they no longer wish to use the technology for their own users.
Most roaming agreements are based on the legacy technology, as many IoT applications and providers still rely on it, especially outside Europe. This issue is relatively unknown in many boardrooms, says the technical consultant. "Board members are mainly concerned with modernizing their own core network system without looking at dependencies on foreign 2G. But in the end, their company should also be able to deliver SMS and signaling messages from and to all other countries to its customer."
Vulnerable to network intrusions
There are drawbacks to maintaining outdated equipment, Van de Moesdijk explains. For example, it makes a company dependent on a shrinking number of subject matter experts and vulnerable to network intrusions. Hackers can penetrate systems through the old 2G hardware and then access 5G internally. A modern software-based solution can solve the problem, he says.
BroadForward has been providing software for routing, security, interworking and number portability since 2011. The application not only supports STP functionality according to the SS7 protocol on 2G, but also many other protocols and other network technologies like 4G and 5G. Operators can use the software on modern hardware with a modern operating system in their own data centers or from the cloud. The STP software does not require indepth technical knowledge and can also be managed by engineers with basic 4G and 5G knowledge. STP, 4G and 5G share the same user interface.
Supporting 2G, 3G, 4G as well as 5G from the same interface makes BroadForward's system unique, says Van de Moesdijk. An opinion substantiated by nine nominations for the GSMA Global Mobile (GLOMO) Best Mobile Technology Award. For this and other reasons, many operators now use the system, including Telenet (Liberty Global), Arelion, 1NCE, Orange, BICS, Vodafone, Enreach and Teleena (now Tata Communications). Even Microsoft selected BroadForward as an alternative to Chinese router products in the US. In total, around one hundred of the approximately one thousand operators worldwide are served by BroadForward.
Continuity of legacy services
Early February, Proximus was added to BroadForward's customer list. The Belgian operator replaced its legacy hardware-based STPs with the software and cloud-based solution, supported by integrator Nomios (formerly Infradata). "BroadForward's platform ensures continuity of legacy services and allows us to seamlessly integrate advanced 4G and 5G functionalities," reported the project manager at Proximus recently.
BroadForward will have a booth at the Netherlands Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona from March 3 to 6, where it has been present for many years. "We are a technology-focused company that does little marketing. For us, GSMA events like the MWC are very valuable. Many of our partners, customers and prospects are there. We have scheduled some fifty meetings in those three days. The congress is the ultimate place to see and to be seen".
Boudewijn van de Moesdijk of BroadForward during the presentation of the GLOMO nomination for 'Best Mobile Technology' at the Netherlands Pavilion in 2024
