Rationalizing legacy 2G STP: A necessary step for the future
In the fast-paced world of telecommunications, legacy systems like the 2G Signal Transfer Point (STP) once stood as the cornerstone of signaling networks. These systems facilitated critical functions, from managing international roaming to ensuring IoT connectivity and emergency communications. But as the industry embraces advanced technologies, these aging systems are becoming a liability.
The challenges with legacy STPs are mounting. Many have reached their end-of-life status, with vendors phasing out support and leaving operators exposed to escalating costs, and serious security- and operational risks. Maintenance is expensive, with proprietary hardware creating an additional layer of complexity. These systems are ill-suited to modern demands, such as multi-protocol communication, IP-based connectivity, and the transition to 5G. Compounding this, they lack compatibility with modern infrastructure trends like cloud deployment and containerized solutions, making it harder for operators to achieve the scalability and flexibility required today.
Sunsetting 2G and 3G and why the STP function remains essential
Yet, the STP function remains essential. Despite the rise of 5G, fallback to legacy networks continues to play a vital role, especially for IoT devices, which often rely on 2G for its wide coverage and energy efficiency. Emergency services and rural connectivity depend on these legacy systems to ensure reliability. Additionally, international roaming, even in 5G-dominant areas, still requires robust signaling across older protocols. The STP is here to stay, possibly for decades, just not in its current form.
Deploying in the cloud
This brings us to a crossroads. Operators must preserve the indispensable functions of STPs while embracing modern, future-proof solutions. Enter BroadForward’s cloud-based STP. Unlike traditional hardware-bound systems, BroadForward’s STP is entirely software-based and optimized for deployment on modern IT infrastructures, including virtualized environments, cloud platforms, and containerized systems. This flexibility allows operators to eliminate dependency on proprietary hardware, reduce costs, and seamlessly integrate into modern network architectures.
BroadForward’s solution also ensures compatibility across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, bridging the gap between legacy and modern systems. It provides built-in security features to protect signaling traffic against contemporary threats, and supports a future roadmap, ensuring operators are prepared for ongoing technological advancements.
Long term vision
The transition isn’t just a financial decision, it’s a strategic move. By adopting cloud-native and containerized STPs, operators unlock the scalability needed to handle growing signaling demands, while gaining the agility to adapt to evolving market conditions. In a competitive industry, those who modernize their infrastructure position themselves as leaders, ready to meet customer needs now and in the decades to come.
The telecom landscape is advancing, but the role of the STP endures. With BroadForward’s modern STP, operators can shed the constraints of legacy systems and embrace a future where efficiency, flexibility, and security are paramount. Now is the time to act: transform your network while safeguarding the critical services your customers rely on.