GSMA Global Title Leasing Code of Conduct

Increasing transparency, reducing risk

Global Titles enable information to be exchanged within and between networks, so that mobile services work regardless of whether a user is in their home network or roaming

A Global Title (GT) is an address used for routing signalling messages (using the signalling connection Control Part / SCCP protocol) on telecommunications networks. National authorities allocate numbering resources to communications providers, which reserve and use part of those numbers for use as GTs. In mobile networks, GTs enable information to be exchanged within and between networks, so that mobile services work regardless of whether a user is in his/her home network or roaming.

The practice of leasing GTs (by a “GT lessor” to a “GT lessee”) has enabled additional entities (GT lessees) to gain access to the global SS7 network and to exchange signalling messages using GTs associated with the GT lessor. This reduces routing transparency, and has led to concerns that such GT leasing practices introduce security risks for mobile network operators and their customers.

What’s in the code of conduct?

GSMA members have developed a GT leasing reference document (FS.52) that describes GT leasing motivations, benefits, issues and concerns. The document also contains a code of conduct detailing requirements and guidelines intended to minimise risks associated with GT leasing. GT lessors and transit carriers involved in GT leasing arrangements are invited to voluntarily declare to the GSMA that they adhere to the GT leasing code of conduct, as evidence of their commitment to routing transparency and to reduce the risks for mobile network operators and their customers. The names of such companies will be added to this website as code of conduct signatories.

The names of such companies will be added to this website as code of conduct signatories.

Mobile operators and transit carriers that are not involved in GT leasing are also invited to declare this, along with their support for the code of conduct. These companies will be added to this website as code of conduct supporters.

Find out more about the code of conduct from Stephen Ornadel, Senior Vice President, Mobileum.

Benefits to companies involved in GT leasing

Reduce the risk of abuse of their assets (assigned numbering resources used for GT addresses, transit carrier infrastructure)
Demonstrate commitment to transparency, traceability and accountability in relation to interconnect signalling involving GTs
Reduce the risk of reputational damage to their businesses associated with GT leasing abuse involving their assets.
Reduce risks associated with GT leasing for industry partners with which they are interconnected.

Benefits to GSMA members and Industry

Gain assurance from suppliers and partners who have declared a commitment to industry-agreed best practices that reduce the risks of abuse associated with the lack of transparency of traffic from/to leased GTs.
Alleviate regulatory concerns and reduce need for regulatory intervention by demonstrating industry’s ability to take appropriate and pragmatic action to reduce threats posed by GT leasing.
Enhanced protection of mobile users and their service providers against privacy and security risks associated with GT leasing.

Resources

In this extract from the Security Summit at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024, Stephen Ornadel, Chair of the GSMA Global Leasing Task Force and Johannes Opitz, Vice President Commercial Roaming & International Mobile Wholesale, Telekom Deutschland GmbH outline the importance of the Global Title Leasing Code of Conduct