{"id":978,"date":"2026-01-23T09:42:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T09:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.ic-services.io\/?p=978"},"modified":"2026-10-21T14:12:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T13:12:32","slug":"cierre-mvno-3g-interceptacion-legal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ic-services.io\/es\/resources\/blog\/mvno-3g-shutdown-lawful-interception\/","title":{"rendered":"3G Shutdown and IMS Voice: When MVNOs Need Their Own Lawful Interception"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why the 3G Shutdown Matters For MVNO Lawful Interception<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most European operators have already switched off 3G (in Germany, for example, during 2021), and 2G networks are next: Telekom Deutschland plans to switch off 2G by 30 June 2028. For most subscribers, this means faster data and better coverage on 4G and 5G. For Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that run their own voice core, or that move to their own IMS as 3G (and later 2G) networks close, lawful interception has to move to the IMS as well. Light MVNOs that use their host’s VoLTE service usually remain covered by the host’s LI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under 3G, most light MVNOs relied on their host MNO’s circuit-switched core, so the host carried out the interception; depending on national law, the MVNO still had its own duties, such as making sure the host could implement orders. Full MVNOs that ran their own switching already operated their own LI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For MVNOs that take voice into their own hands, that model changes when circuit-switched voice disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De la conmutaci\u00f3n de circuitos al IMS: el cambio t\u00e9cnico<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Con el desmantelamiento de 3G, los servicios de voz migran a VoLTE (Voz sobre LTE) y VoNR (Voz sobre Nueva Radio para 5G). Ambas tecnolog\u00edas transmiten la voz como paquetes IP a trav\u00e9s de la red de datos, utilizando la arquitectura del subsistema multimedia IP (IMS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some host MNOs do not offer VoLTE to their MVNOs, and many full MVNOs choose to run their own IMS for control over features and billing. Running its own IMS gives an MVNO more control over service features, billing and customer experience. But it also means the MVNO now controls voice call signalling and, through its IMS media functions, the voice media, and with that it takes on lawful interception duties of its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the MVNO operates the IMS core that processes voice calls, it becomes an obliged operator for that voice service. The host MNO usually keeps obligations for the radio and packet core it operates, so the two parties must agree who delivers what to avoid gaps and duplicate content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qu\u00e9 deben aplicar los OMV<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Los operadores m\u00f3viles virtuales (OMV) que est\u00e1n pasando a su propia infraestructura IMS necesitan un OMV completo soluci\u00f3n de interceptaci\u00f3n legal<\/a> que abarca:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gesti\u00f3n de garant\u00edas<\/a><\/strong>
A system to receive, validate and track lawful interception requests from law enforcement agencies. This includes managing target identities (for IMS voice, for example the IMPU\/TEL URI, IMPI, MSISDN or IMEI), warrant timelines and authorized agency access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puntos de interceptaci\u00f3n IMS<\/strong>
Integration with the IMS core to collect Intercept Related Information (IRI) and Content of Communication (CC) for VoLTE and VoNR calls. This requires interception of signalling (IRI) at the P-CSCF\/S-CSCF and of media (CC) at the media-plane functions such as the IMS-AGW, TrGW or MRF (3GPP TS 33.127).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mediaci\u00f3n y formato<\/strong>
A plataforma de mediaci\u00f3n<\/a> that receives the X2\/X3 output of the IMS points of interception and delivers it in the handover format required nationally, for example ETSI TS 102 232-5<\/a> for IP multimedia, used with the TS 102 232-1<\/a> PS-PDU (as in Germany), or 3GPP TS 33.108\/33.128.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traspaso seguro<\/strong>
Canales de entrega cifrados (HI2 para IRI, HI3 para CC) a instalaciones de vigilancia de las fuerzas del orden<\/a>, con autenticaci\u00f3n mutua, confirmaci\u00f3n de entrega y registro de auditor\u00eda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Informes de cumplimiento<\/strong>
Capacidades de documentaci\u00f3n y elaboraci\u00f3n de informes para demostrar el cumplimiento durante las auditor\u00edas reglamentarias y responder a las consultas de los organismos sobre el estado de la interceptaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construir esta infraestructura internamente requiere conocimientos especializados en normas 3GPP, especificaciones LI del ETSI, arquitectura IMS y requisitos de interfaz de las fuerzas de seguridad, conocimientos que la mayor\u00eda de los OMV no tienen en plantilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tres caminos para los OMV<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Los OMV que se enfrentan a este reto tienen tres opciones principales:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opci\u00f3n 1: Construcci\u00f3n propia<\/strong>
Contratar especialistas en LI, adquirir software de mediaci\u00f3n, integrarlo con elementos IMS y establecer conexiones LEA. Esto proporciona el m\u00e1ximo control, pero requiere una inversi\u00f3n de capital significativa, costes operativos continuos y la capacidad de mantenerse al d\u00eda con la evoluci\u00f3n de las normas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opci\u00f3n 2: LI gestionado<\/a> Servicio<\/strong>
Outsource the entire LI operation to a specialist provider like ICS. The provider operates the mediation platform, manages warrant lifecycles, handles LEA handover and runs day-to-day compliance on your behalf. The legal obligation stays with you. The MVNO maintains oversight but avoids building specialized infrastructure and hiring dedicated staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opci\u00f3n 3: Plataforma de software con soporte<\/strong>
Obtenga una licencia para el software de gesti\u00f3n y mediaci\u00f3n de LI y ejec\u00fatelo en su propia infraestructura, con asistencia para la implantaci\u00f3n, formaci\u00f3n y consultor\u00eda continua por parte de un especialista en LI. Este camino intermedio le da el control, al tiempo que aprovecha la experiencia externa para la configuraci\u00f3n y el mantenimiento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most MVNOs find that managed services or supported software platforms offer the best balance of compliance assurance, cost control and operational simplicity. The business case for building in-house only makes sense at significant scale \u2013 typically two to three million subscribers or more in one market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No espere hasta el \u00faltimo minuto<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Shutdown timelines vary by country, but the trend is clear: circuit-switched voice is ending, IMS is the future, and MVNOs that operate their own IMS need their own lawful interception solutions. Regulators expect compliance from day one of IMS operation \u2013 there’s no grace period for MVNOs to “figure it out later.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICS ayuda a los OMV en esta transici\u00f3n con soluciones flexibles<\/a> que se ajusten a sus plazos, presupuesto y entorno t\u00e9cnico. Tanto si necesita un servicio gestionado completo, soporte de integraci\u00f3n para interceptaci\u00f3n IMS o consultor\u00eda para comprender sus obligaciones, le ofrecemos la experiencia necesaria para garantizar que sigue cumpliendo la normativa a medida que evoluciona su infraestructura de voz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

El cierre de la 3G obliga a un cambio. Aseg\u00farese de que la interceptaci\u00f3n legal de MVNO no se convierta en el obst\u00e1culo sorpresa de su plan de migraci\u00f3n IMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P\u00f3ngase en contacto con ICS para analizar los requisitos de interceptaci\u00f3n legal de su MVNO y explorar la soluci\u00f3n adecuada para su implantaci\u00f3n de IMS.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Reading on IMS Lawful Interception for MVNOs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Si desea leer m\u00e1s sobre temas relacionados, consulte estos art\u00edculos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n