# OpenBSC > a project for the development of an free software GSM implementation **Wikidata**: [Q2025366](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2025366) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/openbsc ## Summary OpenBSC is a free software project for implementing GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology. It was developed by Open Source Mobile Communications and released in 2008 under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later. The project has since been replaced by more specialized components including OsmoBSC, OsmoMSC, and OsmoHLR. ## Key Facts - OpenBSC is a free software project for GSM implementation, released in 2008 - Licensed under GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later - Developed by Open Source Mobile Communications - Implemented in C programming language - Runs on Linux operating system - Replaced by OsmoBSC (base station controller), OsmoMSC (mobile switching center), and OsmoHLR (home location register) - Available as Gentoo package net-wireless/openbsc and OpenSUSE package osmo-pcap - Source code repository: git://git.osmocom.org/openbsc.git - Classified as mobile telecommunication technology, protocol stack, and free software ## FAQs ### Q: What is OpenBSC? A: OpenBSC is a free software project that implements GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology. It was developed by Open Source Mobile Communications and released in 2008 as an open-source solution for mobile telecommunication networks. ### Q: What license does OpenBSC use? A: OpenBSC is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later, which requires that modifications to the software be made available when the software is used over a network. ### Q: What operating system does OpenBSC run on? A: OpenBSC runs on Linux operating systems, making it compatible with various Linux distributions including Gentoo and OpenSUSE. ### Q: What happened to OpenBSC? A: OpenBSC has been replaced by more specialized components: OsmoBSC (base station controller), OsmoMSC (mobile switching center), and OsmoHLR (home location register), which provide more focused functionality for different parts of GSM networks. ### Q: Who developed OpenBSC? A: OpenBSC was developed by Open Source Mobile Communications, an organization focused on creating open-source solutions for mobile telecommunications. ## Why It Matters OpenBSC represents a significant milestone in the democratization of mobile telecommunications infrastructure. Before projects like OpenBSC, GSM technology was largely controlled by proprietary systems from major telecommunications vendors, creating barriers to entry for smaller operators and researchers. By providing a free software implementation of GSM, OpenBSC enabled experimentation, education, and the development of alternative mobile networks. This was particularly important for developing regions, academic research, and security analysis of cellular networks. The project's evolution into specialized components like OsmoBSC, OsmoMSC, and OsmoHLR demonstrates how open-source approaches can lead to more modular, maintainable, and specialized solutions in complex technical domains. OpenBSC's legacy continues through the Osmocom project ecosystem, which remains a vital resource for open-source mobile communications development and research. ## Notable For - One of the first comprehensive free software implementations of GSM technology - Pioneered open-source approach to mobile network infrastructure - Licensed under AGPLv3+, ensuring network transparency for modifications - Successfully evolved into specialized, modular components (OsmoBSC, OsmoMSC, OsmoHLR) - Enabled research and experimentation in cellular network security and protocols ## Body ### Technical Implementation OpenBSC was implemented in the C programming language, chosen for its performance characteristics and widespread support in telecommunications infrastructure. The software was designed to run on Linux operating systems, leveraging the stability and flexibility of the Linux kernel for telecommunications applications. The project's architecture followed GSM standards while providing a modular approach that could be adapted for different deployment scenarios. ### Development History The project began in 2008 as an initiative to create a free software implementation of GSM protocols. Over time, as the complexity of GSM implementations grew and requirements became more specialized, the original OpenBSC codebase was refactored into separate components. This evolution led to the creation of OsmoBSC for base station control, OsmoMSC for mobile switching, and OsmoHLR for subscriber database management. This modular approach improved maintainability and allowed each component to be optimized for its specific function. ### Licensing and Distribution OpenBSC was released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.0 or later. This copyleft license was particularly appropriate for network-facing software, as it requires that any modifications made to the software and used over a network must be made available to users. The software was distributed through various channels including direct downloads from the project website, package managers for Gentoo (net-wireless/openbsc) and OpenSUSE (osmo-pcap), and through the project's Git repository at git://git.osmocom.org/openbsc.git. ### Industry Impact The release of OpenBSC had significant implications for the mobile telecommunications industry. It provided a reference implementation for GSM protocols that could be studied, modified, and deployed without licensing restrictions. This was particularly valuable for academic institutions conducting telecommunications research, for developing regions looking to deploy cost-effective mobile infrastructure, and for security researchers analyzing cellular network vulnerabilities. The project demonstrated that complex telecommunications protocols could be implemented as free software, challenging the notion that such systems required proprietary solutions. ### Relationship to Other Projects OpenBSC was part of the broader Osmocom (Open Source Mobile Communications) ecosystem. While it has been replaced by more specialized components, its influence continues through the Osmocom project family. The transition from OpenBSC to separate components like OsmoBSC, OsmoMSC, and OsmoHLR represents a common pattern in software development where monolithic applications evolve into microservices or specialized modules as requirements become more complex and deployment scenarios more varied. ## References 1. Portage 2. [Source](https://gitweb.gentoo.org/repo/gentoo.git/tree/net-wireless/openbsc/openbsc-9999.ebuild?id=080ca735f85ceda85ec5cca0805f51f212c4e2b9#n11)