The BroadForward Next Generation Signaling Transfer Point (STP) is a complete solution for intelligent routing of SS7 signaling traffic in 2G and 3G networks. It can run as a standalone solution or combined on a single-engine platform with other products, such as the BroadForward Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) and BroadForward Firewall.
Replacing end-of-life STPs
The BroadForward STP is the preferred choice for operators looking for a replacement of their legacy STP because of lack of functionality, end-of-life (EOL) or high-risk vendor (HRV) situations, rationalization plans and network virtualization. In addition, a new wave of replacements has begun in which operators are pushing for cloud-based solutions to achieve a much lower cost base and a unified deployment architecture for their core network infrastructure. The BroadForward STP has the unique ability to support that transition as it can also run in a container in the cloud.
Increasingly, operators are forced to replace their STPs and ITPs because they are end-of-life or end-of-support. While this is unfortunate, it also offers the opportunity to reduce operational cost (OPEX) and move away from the limitations of a legacy SS7 products, often running on proprietary hardware. Most legacy STPs are silo-based point solutions, meaning they are designed to address a single technology, single protocol and single function. In contrast, the BroadForward STP is a 100% software solution by design. The BroadForward STP allows operators to achieve consolidation across signaling technologies by combining it with other BroadForward applications such as the Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) on the same single engine software platform running in the cloud on containers. BroadForward has extensive experience in replacing various legacy vendor brands and offers service providers very attractive options to replace a legacy DSC or STP.
BroadForward Next Generation Signaling Transfer Point
The BroadForward STP provides intelligent routing of SS7 signaling traffic in 2G and 3G networks. According to the GSMA (“The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Key Findings 2023”), 98% of the world’s population is still covered by 2G networks and many mobile operators continue to maintain 2G and 3G networks. Therefore, STPs will remain vital components in operator networks and will require new development for the foreseeable future. For that reason BroadForward has designed the STP as a modern, cost-effective, future-proof software product that can run in a container. It provides unrivalled flexibility to implement complex routing logic and services, using a central configuration and management function. As it is part of BroadForward’s portfolio of converged, multi-protocol signaling products, it can be extended to enable signaling scenarios across 2G/3G, 4G and 5G (SS7, Diameter, HTTP and more).
The BroadForward STP therefore offers a future-proof choice, with major benefits over legacy products:
- Efficiently manages intelligent routing for SS7 signaling in 2G and 3G networks, with an unrivaled feature set for advanced routing, SS7 security, and protocol interworking
- 100% software-based solution by design, offering multiple deployment options (bare metal, VMs, containers, cloud) allowing seamless deployment in modern data center environments
- Future-proof solution for operators needing to replace end-of-life and hardware-based STPs
- Active development roadmap, ensuring ongoing enhancements and long-term reliability
- Unrivalled flexibility to implement complex (GTT) routing logic and services, all through a central, intuitive GUI-based configuration and management function – no scripting required
- Support for network-based Steering of Roaming (SoR) with configurable roaming distribution list (following GSMA IR.73 and BEREC standards).
- Expandable with advanced security features, including an SS7 Firewall with full GSMA FS.11 compliance, along with intelligent overload protection and throttling mechanisms
- Supports multiple deployment architectures and redundancy options, including active-active and active-standby configurations
- Providing convergence, consolidation and cost saving across signaling technologies by combining it with other BroadForward applications such as DRA/DEA, SEPP, SCP on the same single-engine software platform
- Proven track record with many successful replacements and new deployments at MNOs, MVNOs and IPX service providers
- Extensive experience in replacing a variety of legacy STP brands, including Oracle/Tekelec, Nokia, Cisco, Squire, Titanium/NetNumber
- Optional (on-board) support for:
- BroadForward Diameter Firewall (DFW)
- BroadForward Number Portability (NP)
- BroadForward Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
- BroadForward Diameter Signaling Controller (DRA, DEA, IWF)
- BroadForward 5G Service Communication Proxy (SCP)
- BroadForward 5G Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP)
Combining network functions
The BroadForward STP runs on a unique single engine software design, allowing operators to combine multiple functions on the same platform. This provides many benefits, such as:
- Reduction of integration points, and on-board capability for interworking and interoperability
- Centralized IT integration, signaling management, configuration, provisioning, subscriber management, reporting and control
- Centralized use of common network applications (e.g. firewall, number portability, steering of roaming)
- Easy to operate, uniform operations across domains
- Single capacity license with free traffic mix across supported protocols
Virtualized, cloud-based and containerized deployment
The BroadForward STP provides unmatched flexibility with various deployment options, including bare metal, virtual machines, containers, and cloud environments, all while maintaining a low resource footprint. This 100% software-based, hardware-agnostic solution eliminates the need for specialized hardware or proprietary operating systems. Deploying the BroadForward STP on a common platform facilitates the transition for operators and vendors from proprietary appliance systems to a standardized, hardware-agnostic, software-only infrastructure.