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A 2G core network is the central part of a GSM mobile network that manages subscribers and mobility and connects calls. If the network supports GPRS, it also uses packet-core functions to serve mobile data sessions and connect them to external networks. The core sits behind the radio access network; it does not include the base stations that provide the phone’s radio connection.
What the 2G core network does
The core handles network-side functions such as call switching, subscriber information and mobility management. A phone reaches it through GSM radio access, commonly called the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) or GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN). In practical terms, the radio access network provides the radio link; the core manages services and routes traffic beyond that link.
“2G core” is not one unchanging set of nodes. The architecture depends on which services the GSM network supports. The circuit-switched functions serve voice and related services, while GPRS adds a packet-switched domain for data.
How the circuit-switched core handles calls
In the circuit-switched domain, the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) controls and switches calls. Its associated Visitor Location Register (VLR) keeps subscriber and service information for mobile phones currently in the area it serves. The Home Location Register (HLR) is the network’s central subscriber database.
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- MSC: Call control and switching.
- VLR: Subscriber and service data for devices in the MSC’s served area.
- HLR: Central subscriber information used by the network.
What GPRS adds to a 2G network
GPRS adds packet-switched data service to GSM. It is an additional capability, not a required part of every GSM network. Where GPRS is supported, two key functions are the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN).
- SGSN: Serves mobile stations and supports procedures such as authentication, authorization and mobility management.
- GGSN: Provides a gateway between the GPRS network and external packet networks, such as the Internet.
The access network communicates with the packet core through specified interfaces. BTS and BSC equipment belongs to the radio access side, not the core. For the architecture, see 3GPP TS 23.002, Network architecture, version 18.0.0 (Release 18, April 2024). For GPRS service details, consult 3GPP TS 23.060. An older plain-language reference to GPRS node roles is RFC 3314 (September 2002); it is informational and does not replace the 3GPP specifications.
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2G core versus radio access
| Part of the network | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Radio access (BSS/GERAN) | Provides the radio connection between mobile stations and the network. | BTS and BSC |
| Circuit-switched core | Handles call control, switching and subscriber-related functions. | MSC, VLR and HLR |
| GPRS packet core, when supported | Serves packet-data sessions and connects them to external packet networks. | SGSN and GGSN |
Is GPRS part of every 2G core?
No. GSM can provide circuit-switched services without GPRS. The SGSN and GGSN are relevant when the network supports GPRS packet service with GERAN or UTRAN access. Their presence therefore depends on the network’s supported services, rather than being a universal requirement for every GSM deployment.
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For network architecture, use 3GPP TS 23.002; for GPRS service detail, use TS 23.060. These specifications evolve, and architecture documents may cover more than one generation of mobile networks. When describing a particular implementation or interface, identify the applicable release and consult its relevant clauses rather than treating this high-level overview as a deployment specification.
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