{"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":"mvno-3g-shutdown-intercecao-legal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ic-services.io\/pt\/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

Do circuito comutado ao IMS: a mudan\u00e7a t\u00e9cnica<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Com a desativa\u00e7\u00e3o da 3G, os servi\u00e7os de voz migram para a VoLTE (Voice over LTE) e a VoNR (Voice over New Radio for 5G). Ambas as tecnologias fornecem voz como pacotes IP atrav\u00e9s da rede de dados, utilizando a arquitetura IP Multimedia Subsystem (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

O que os MVNOs devem implementar<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

MVNOs transitioning to their own IMS infrastructure need a complete MVNO solu\u00e7\u00e3o de interce\u00e7\u00e3o legal<\/a> that covers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gest\u00e3o de mandados<\/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

Pontos de interce\u00e7\u00e3o 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

Media\u00e7\u00e3o e formata\u00e7\u00e3o<\/strong>
A plataforma de media\u00e7\u00e3o<\/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

Transfer\u00eancia segura<\/strong>
Encrypted delivery channels (HI2 for IRI, HI3 for CC) to law enforcement monitoring facilities<\/a>, with mutual authentication, delivery confirmation and audit logging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relat\u00f3rios de conformidade<\/strong>
Capacidades de documenta\u00e7\u00e3o e de elabora\u00e7\u00e3o de relat\u00f3rios para demonstrar a conformidade durante as auditorias regulamentares e responder aos pedidos de informa\u00e7\u00e3o das ag\u00eancias sobre o estado da interce\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construir esta infraestrutura internamente requer conhecimentos especializados em normas 3GPP, especifica\u00e7\u00f5es ETSI LI, arquitetura IMS e requisitos de interface de aplica\u00e7\u00e3o da lei - conhecimentos de que a maioria dos MVNOs n\u00e3o disp\u00f5e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tr\u00eas caminhos para as MVNOs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Os MVNO que enfrentam este desafio t\u00eam tr\u00eas op\u00e7\u00f5es principais:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Op\u00e7\u00e3o 1: Construir internamente<\/strong>
Contratar especialistas em LI, adquirir software de media\u00e7\u00e3o, integrar com elementos IMS e estabelecer liga\u00e7\u00f5es LEA. Isto permite um controlo m\u00e1ximo, mas exige um investimento de capital significativo, custos operacionais cont\u00ednuos e a capacidade de acompanhar a evolu\u00e7\u00e3o das normas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 2: Managed LI<\/a> Servi\u00e7o<\/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

Op\u00e7\u00e3o 3: Plataforma de software com suporte<\/strong>
Licencie o software de gest\u00e3o e media\u00e7\u00e3o da LI e execute-o na sua pr\u00f3pria infraestrutura, com apoio \u00e0 implementa\u00e7\u00e3o, forma\u00e7\u00e3o e consultoria cont\u00ednua de um especialista da LI. Este meio-termo d\u00e1-lhe o controlo, ao mesmo tempo que aproveita a experi\u00eancia externa para a configura\u00e7\u00e3o e manuten\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/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

N\u00e3o esperar at\u00e9 ao \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 ajuda os MVNOs a navegar nesta transi\u00e7\u00e3o com solu\u00e7\u00f5es flex\u00edveis<\/a> que se adequam ao seu cronograma, or\u00e7amento e ambiente t\u00e9cnico. Quer necessite de um servi\u00e7o gerido completo, de apoio \u00e0 integra\u00e7\u00e3o para interce\u00e7\u00e3o IMS ou de consultoria para compreender as suas obriga\u00e7\u00f5es, fornecemos a experi\u00eancia necess\u00e1ria para garantir que se mant\u00e9m em conformidade \u00e0 medida que a sua infraestrutura de voz evolui.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

O encerramento da 3G est\u00e1 a for\u00e7ar uma mudan\u00e7a. Certifique-se de que a interce\u00e7\u00e3o legal de MVNO n\u00e3o se torna o obst\u00e1culo surpresa no seu plano de migra\u00e7\u00e3o IMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contacte a ICS para discutir os seus requisitos de interce\u00e7\u00e3o legal de MVNO e explorar a solu\u00e7\u00e3o certa para a sua implementa\u00e7\u00e3o 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

Para mais informa\u00e7\u00f5es sobre temas relacionados, consulte estes artigos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n