# OsmoMSC

> open GSM stack routing software

**Wikidata**: [Q67039360](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q67039360)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/osmomsc

## Summary
OsmoMSC (Osmocom Mobile Switching Center) is open GSM stack routing software developed by Open Source Mobile Communications. It functions as a free software protocol stack for mobile telecommunication technology and is based on the OpenBSC project.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Osmocom Mobile Switching Center
- **Developer:** Open Source Mobile Communications
- **Category:** Protocol stack, free software, mobile telecommunication technology
- **License:** GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later
- **Programming Language:** C (Wikidata ID Q15777)
- **Base Project:** Based on OpenBSC, a project for free software GSM implementation
- **Website:** https://osmocom.org/projects/osmomsc
- **Version History:** Version 1.0.1 released on June 22, 2017; Version 1.5.0 released on August 8, 2019
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly does OsmoMSC do?
A: OsmoMSC provides open GSM stack routing software, functioning as a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). It handles the switching functions required for mobile telecommunications within a GSM network.

### Q: Under what license is OsmoMSC distributed?
A: The software is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later. This ensures it remains free and open-source software.

### Q: How is OsmoMSC related to OpenBSC?
A: OsmoMSC is based on OpenBSC, which is a project dedicated to the development of a free software GSM implementation. It serves as a specific component (the MSC) within that broader ecosystem.

### Q: Is OsmoMSC a recent project?
A: The project has been active for several years, with recorded releases such as version 1.0.1 in June 2017 and version 1.5.0 in August 2019.

## Why It Matters
OsmoMSC plays a critical role in the landscape of mobile telecommunications by providing a free software implementation of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC). In traditional GSM networks, the MSC is a core element responsible for routing voice calls and SMS messages, as well as managing mobility and handovers. Historically, this infrastructure relied on expensive, proprietary "black box" hardware and software from major telecom vendors.

By offering a protocol stack that is open-source and based on the OpenBSC project, OsmoMSC democratizes access to network infrastructure. It enables researchers, hobbyists, and smaller network operators to build, test, and deploy GSM networks with greater transparency and lower costs than proprietary alternatives. The use of the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) ensures that the software remains free for the community, requiring users who modify it for network services to share their changes. This fosters a collaborative environment for innovation in mobile technology and provides a practical tool for educational and experimental purposes in the telecom industry.

## Notable For
- **Open Source Routing:** Distinct from proprietary telecom solutions, it offers open GSM stack routing software.
- **AGPL Licensing:** It utilizes the GNU Affero General Public License, which specifically addresses the use of software over a network, a crucial distinction for telecom infrastructure.
- **OpenBSC Lineage:** Its foundation on OpenBSC places it within a well-established lineage of free software GSM implementations.
- **Dedicated MSC Implementation:** It specifically targets the MSC function, separating switching logic from the base station controller (BSC) logic found in related projects.

## Body

### Technical Classification
OsmoMSC is classified as a **protocol stack** and **mobile telecommunication technology**. It is categorized as **free software**, though it maintains a copyrighted status. The software is written in **C** (referenced as Wikidata Q15777), a standard language for system programming in telecommunications. Its primary function is to serve as an open GSM stack routing software.

### Development and History
The entity is developed by **Open Source Mobile Communications**. Its development trajectory is linked to **OpenBSC**, described as a project for developing free software GSM implementations within the software and mobile phone industries. OsmoMSC is explicitly listed as being "based on" OpenBSC.

The project has seen consistent updates, as evidenced by its version history:
- **Version 1.0.1:** Released on June 22, 2017.
- **Version 1.5.0:** Released on August 8, 2019.
These version references are derived from the project's official git repository tags.

### Licensing and Access
The software is distributed under the **GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.0 or later**. This license permits users to run, study, share, and modify the software, with the specific condition of the AGPL ensuring that modifications made to the software used to provide a network service must be made available to the users of that service. The official project website and repository are hosted at **https://osmocom.org/projects/osmomsc**.

## References

1. [Source](https://git.osmocom.org/osmo-msc/refs/tags)