What is MSC?

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

The Mobile services Switching Center (MSC) co-ordinates the setting up of calls to and from GSM users. It is mainly performing switching function. The MSC is responsible for setting up, routing and supervising calls to and from the mobile subscriber. The mobile switching center (MSC) performs the telephony switching function. A mobile station must be attached to a single MSC at a time (either homed or visitor), if it is currently active (not switched off). The visitor location register (VLR) is a Database attached to an MSC to contain information about its currently associated mobile stations (not just for visitors). The MSC carries out several different functions depending on its position in the network. When the MSC provides the interface between PSTN and the BSS in the GSM network it is called the Gateway MSC. It controls a number of Base Station Sites (BSSs). It is the telephone switching office for MS originated or terminated traffic and provides the appropriate bearer services, teleservices and supplementary services.