# OsmoBSC

> free implementation of a GSM base station controller

**Wikidata**: [Q67039792](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q67039792)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/osmobsc

## Summary
OsmoBSC is a free implementation of a GSM Base Station Controller (BSC). Developed by Open Source Mobile Communications, it functions as a protocol stack and mobile telecommunication technology based on the earlier OpenBSC project. It is released under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** A free implementation of a GSM base station controller.
- **Developer:** Open Source Mobile Communications.
- **License:** GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later.
- **Foundation:** Based on the OpenBSC project.
- **Category:** Instance of a protocol stack, free software, and mobile telecommunication technology.
- **Function:** Implements the logic and protocols of a Base Station Controller.
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.
- **Website:** https://osmocom.org/projects/osmobsc
- **Industry Context:** Related to the software industry and mobile phone industry.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly does OsmoBSC do?
A: OsmoBSC provides a free software implementation of a GSM Base Station Controller. It handles the protocol stack required to control base stations and manage mobile telecommunication traffic.

### Q: Who develops and maintains OsmoBSC?
A: The entity listed as the developer is Open Source Mobile Communications. It is part of a broader ecosystem of free software implementations for mobile networks.

### Q: How is OsmoBSC licensed?
A: It is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later. This ensures the software remains free and open source, requiring derivative works to offer the source code under the same terms.

### Q: What is the relationship between OsmoBSC and OpenBSC?
A: OsmoBSC is based on OpenBSC. While OpenBSC was a project developing a free software GSM implementation, OsmoBSC serves as a specific implementation focused on the Base Station Controller component.

## Why It Matters
OsmoBSC represents a critical shift in the mobile telecommunication landscape from proprietary, closed hardware to open, software-defined solutions. In traditional GSM networks, the Base Station Controller (BSC) is a high-cost, proprietary component typically supplied by large vendors like Ericsson or Nokia. By offering a free implementation of a BSC, OsmoBSC lowers the financial and technical barriers to entry for building cellular networks.

This project is significant for researchers, hobbyists, and smaller network operators who require flexibility that commercial off-the-shelf products do not provide. Because it is based on the OpenBSC project and licensed under the AGPLv3+, it fosters a collaborative environment where the code can be audited, modified, and improved by the community. This openness accelerates innovation in network architecture and ensures that critical telecommunications infrastructure can be transparently managed and maintained without vendor lock-in. Its existence empowers the deployment of private cellular networks and testbeds, democratizing access to technology that was previously accessible only to large telecommunications corporations.

## Notable For
- **Free Implementation:** It is the primary free software implementation of a GSM Base Station Controller.
- **Open Source Lineage:** It is a distinct evolution based on the OpenBSC project.
- **AGPLv3+ Licensing:** It utilizes the Affero General Public License, which specifically addresses network use cases, ensuring the source code remains available even when run as a network service.
- **Industry Disruption:** It challenges the standard proprietary model of the mobile phone industry by offering a viable protocol stack for BSCs.

## Body

### Technical Definition
OsmoBSC is defined as a protocol stack and an instance of mobile telecommunication technology. It serves as a free implementation of a Base Station Controller (BSC), which is a critical component in GSM networks responsible for managing the radio resources of multiple Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).

### Development and Origins
The software is developed by **Open Source Mobile Communications**. It is explicitly based on **OpenBSC**, a broader project aimed at creating a free software GSM implementation. While OpenBSC served as the foundational project, OsmoBSC exists as a specialized entity within that ecosystem, focusing specifically on the controller logic.

### Licensing and Legal Status
OsmoBSC is classified as **copyrighted** software. It is distributed under the **GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later**. This license is distinct in the telecom sector as it ensures that users who interact with the software over a network have the right to receive the source code.

### Industry Context
Categorized within the **software industry** and **mobile phone industry**, OsmoBSC provides the necessary logic to bridge mobile devices with the mobile switching core. Official information and repositories are hosted at **https://osmocom.org/projects/osmobsc**.