Architectural impact of new services in a mobile network

Stand-alone signalling transfer points (STP) build the foundation of open and flexible intelligent networks, providing a necessary separation of the voice and signalling network. In the classical ITU approach for network design a functional split in service switching point (SSP), signalling transfer point (STP) and service control point (SCP) is recommended. The introduction of new mobility services, number portability, UMTS, CAMEL, fixed-mobile convergence and additional interconnections to other networks are creating new challenges for the design of signalling networks. A new network concept with a new generation of C7 processing machines is required. Rather than a functional split, traffic and service separation will ensure more efficient and secure networks in the future