BSC timers

1. T4 Supervision of sending the RESET to the MSC

o Interpretation: The timer T4 supervises the sending of the RESET message
from the BSC to the MSC.
o Timer start condition: The timer T4 starts automatically when a BSC reset
occurs.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T4 stops when a RESET_ACK message has
been received from the MSC.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T4 expires, the BSC repeats
the whole procedure.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 10 s.
o Max. = 120 s.
o Def. = 60 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: BSC reset

Figure: T4 timer expiry

2.

T7 Frequency of the HANDOVER_REQUIRED message

o Interpretation: The timer T7 supervises the frequency of the
HANDOVER_REQUIRED message. Also the timer
MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt (in BSDATA) supervises the frequency of the
HANDOVER_REQUIRED message. MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt is the
minimum interval between an unsuccesful handover attempt and the following
handover attempt related to the same connection.

o
o

Timer start condition: The timer T7 starts when the BSC sends the
HANDOVER_REQUIRED message to the MSC.
Timer stop condition: The timer T7 stops when the HANDOVER_COMMAND or
the HANDOVER_REQUIRED_REJECT message has been received from the
MSC. When the HANDOVER_REQUIRED_REJECT message is received from
the MSC the BSC may send the following HANDOVER_REQUIRED message
to the MSC. However, it can send the message only after the timer
MinIntBetweenUnsuccHoAttempt has expired.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T7 expires, the
HANDOVER_REQUIRED procedure is repeated immediately, if the conditions
for performing the external handover are still fulfilled.
Appropriate value:

o
o Min. = 5 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 20 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T7 timer activation

Figure: T7 timer expiry

3.

T8 Handover procedure supervision in the source BSC

o Interpretation: The timer T8 supervises the external handover procedure in the
serving BSC.
o Timer start condition: The timer T8 starts when a HANDOVER_COMMAND
message is received from the MSC (in the case of an external handover).
o Timer stop condition: The timer T8 stops when a CLEAR_COMMAND message
(in the case of external handover) has been received from the MSC. It also

stops when a HANDOVER_FAILURE message is received from the MS (in the

case of any handover failure).
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T8 expires, the BSC sends a
CLEAR_REQUEST message to the MSC.
Appropriate value:

o
o Min. = 8 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 12 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: Successful handover with T8 timer activation

Figure: Unsuccessful handover

Figure: T8 timer expiry

4.

T10 Supervision of the assignment procedure

o Interpretation: The timer T10 supervises the assignment procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T10 starts before the BSC sends a
PHYSICAL_CONTEXT_REQUEST message to the BTS.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T10 stops when the MS sends either an
ASSIGNMENT_COMPLETE or an ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message to the
BSC.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T10 expires, the BSC sends
an ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message to the MSC.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 4 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 8 s.

Rule = T10 > T3103, T10 > T3107

It is recommended that T10 be at least 2 seconds longer than T3107.

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T10 timer activation

5.

T13 RESET guard period

o
o
o
o

Interpretation: The timer T13 serves as a guard period for a local call clearing
procedure.
Timer start condition: The timer T13 starts when a RESET message has been
received from the MSC.
Timer stop condition: The timer T13 stops when an SSP/SPI (subsystem
prohibited/signalling point inhibited) message is received from the SCCP.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T13 expires, a reset
acknowledgement message is sent to the MSC.
Appropriate value:

o
o Min. = 5 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 15 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T13 timer activation

6.

T17 Overload procedure

o Interpretation: The timer T17 supervises the overload procedure in MSC
overload.
o Timer start condition: The timer T17 starts when an OVERLOAD message is
received from the MSC. For a detailed description see 3GPP TS 08.08, MSCBSS Interface, Layer 3 Specification.
o Timer stop condition: None.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T17 expires, the BSC takes
new OVERLOAD messages into account.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 1 s.
o Max. = 120 s.
o Def. = 4 s.

Rule = T17 < T18

This timer is started with T18, and must expire before T18 expires.

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T17 timer activation

Figure: T17 timer expiry

7.

T18 Overload procedure

o Interpretation: The timer T18 supervises the overload procedure. For a detailed
description see 3GPP TS 08.08, MSC-BSS Interface, Layer 3 Specification.
o Timer start condition: The timer T18 starts when an OVERLOAD message is
received from the MSC. The traffic is reduced by one step. This step reduction
involves barring of one mobile access class.
o Timer stop condition: None.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T18 expires, the traffic is
increased on the next level.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 3 s.
o Max. = 180 s.
o Def. = 12 s.

Rule = T18 > T17

This timer is started with T17, and must expire after T17 expires.

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T18 timer activation

Figure: T18 timer expiry

8.

T3101 Supervision of the immediate assignment procedure

o Interpretation: The timer T3101 supervises the immediate assignment
procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3101 starts when the BSC sends an
IMMEDIATE_ASSIGNMENT_CMD message to the BTS.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3101 stops when an ESTABLISH_IND
message is received from the MS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3101 expires, the BSC
sends an RF_CHANNEL_REL message to the BTS.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 1 s.
o Max. = 5 s.
o Def. = 3 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3101 timer activation

Figure: T3101 timer expiry

9.

T3103 Supervision of the internal handover procedure

o Interpretation: The timer T3103 supervises the internal handover procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3103 starts when the BSC sends a
HANDOVER_CMD message to the MS (via a BTS).
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3103 stops when the BSC receives either a
HANDOVER_CMPL message on the new channel or HANDOVER_FAILURE
message on the old channel from the MS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3103 expires, a
CLEAR_REQ message is sent to the MSC and the new channel is released.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 3,5 s.
o Max. = 28 s.
o Def. = 6 s.

Rule = T3103 < T10

o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: Successful handover with T3103 timer activation

Figure: Unsuccessful handover

Figure: T3103 timer expiry

10. T3105_d Repetition of the PHYSICAL INFORMATION (SDCCH)
o Interpretation: Expiry of the timer T3105 repeats the
PHYSICAL_INFORMATION message during asynchronous handover on
SDCCH.
o Timer start condition: When network sends the PHYSICAL_INFORMATION
message, timer T3105 is set.
o Timer stop condition: If the network receives a correctly decoded layer 2 frame
or the HANDOVER_FAILURE message, it stops the timer T3105_d.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3105_d expires, the sending
of the PHYSICAL_INFORMATION message is repeated.
o Appropriate value:

Def. = 280 ms (non-modifiable)

o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3105_d timer activation

Figure: T3105_d timer expiry

11. T3105_f Repetition of the PHYSICAL INFORMATION (TCH)
o Interpretation: Expiry of the timer T3105 repeats the
PHYSICAL_INFORMATION message during asynchronous handover on TCH.
o Timer start condition: When the network sends the PHYSICAL_INFORMATION
message, the timer T3105 is set.
o Timer stop condition: If the network receives a correctly decoded TCH frame
from the MS or the HANDOVER_FAILURE message, it stops timer T3105_f.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3105_f expires, the sending
of the PHYSICAL_INFORMATION message is repeated.
o Appropriate value:

Def. = 100 ms (non-modifiable)

o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3105_f timer activation

Figure: T3105_f timer expiry

12. T3107 Supervision of the assignment procedure
o Interpretation: The timer T3107 supervises the assignment procedure and the
internal intracell handover.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3107 starts when the BSC sends an
ASSIGNMENT_CMD message to the MS (via a BTS).
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3107 stops when the BSC receives either an
ASSIGNMENT_CMPL or ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message from the MS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3107 expires, the new and
the old channel are released, all the appropriate MS connections are cleared,
and an ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message is sent to the MSC. In the case of
the internal intracell handover, a CLEAR_REQUEST message is sent to the
MSC.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 3,5 s.
o Max. = 28 s.
o Def. = 6 s.

Rule = T3107 < T10

It is recommended that T10 be at least 2 seconds longer than T3107.

Signalling diagram:

Figure: Successful assignment with T3107 timer activation

Figure: Unsuccessful assignment

Figure: T3107 timer expiry

13. T3109 Supervision of the channel release procedure
o Interpretation: The timer T3109 supervises the channel release procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3109 starts when the BSC sends a
CHANNEL_REL message to the MS (via a BTS).
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3109 stops when the BTS sends a
RELEASE_INDICATION message. This is done after the BTS has received a
DISC frame from the MS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3109 expires, the BSC
sends an RF_CHANNEL_REL message to the BTS.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 8 s.
o Max. = 15 s.
o Def. = 12 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3109 timer activation

Figure: T3109 timer expiry

14. T3111 Delay of channel deactivation
o Interpretation: The timer T3111 delays the channel deactivation after
disconnection of the main signalling link. Its purpose is to let some time for
possible repetition of the disconnection.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3111 starts when the BSC receives the
RELEASE_INDICATION message from the MS if there is no need to release
the A interface connection. If the A interface connection has to be released after
the RELEASE_INDICATION message has been received, the timer T3111
starts when the BSC receives the CLEAR_COMMAND message from the MSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3111 always expires.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3111 expires, an
RF_CHANNEL_REL message is sent to the BTS.
o Appropriate value:

Def. = 0,5 s (non-modifiable)

o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3111 timer activation (No A interface release)

Figure: T3111 timer activation (With A interface release)

Figure: T3111 timer expiry

15. T3111_DTM T3111 timer for DTM calls
o Interpretation: This timer is used to supervise the CS connection release of a
DTM call. The timer is started when a RELEASE INDICATION message is
received from the BTS. When the timer expires, the BSC sends an RF
CHANNEL RELEASE message to the BTS and releases the DTM allocation
that was made for the DTM call.
The timer value should be so large that the BTS has time to re-send the UA
message to the MS once if the original transmission was not received
successfully. On the other hand, the timer value should be so short that the
BSC has time to release the DTM allocation before the MS re-establishes the
PS data connection in normal EGPRS mode. It is estimated that the default
value of 300 ms satisfies these conditions.

o Appropriate value:
o Min. = 0 ms.
o Max. = 1000 ms.
o Def. = 300 ms.
o Rule = This timer will be used instead of the

existing
o T3111 timer in case of DTM call release (i.e.

when the
CS connection is released in the middle of a
DTM call).
16. T3121 GSM to WCDMA RAN handover procedure supervision in the source BSC
o Interpretation: The timer T3121 supervises the external handover procedure
from GSM to WCDMA RAN in the serving BSC.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3121 starts when a HANDOVER_COMMAND
message is received from the MSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3121 stops when a CLEAR_COMMAND
message has been received from the MSC. It also stops when a
HANDOVER_FAILURE message is received from the MS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3121 expires, the BSC
sends a CLEAR_REQUEST message to the MSC.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 8 s.
o Max. = 15 s.
o Def. = 12 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagrams:

Figure: Successful handover with T3121 timer activation

Figure: Unsuccessful handover

Figure: T3121 timer expiry

17. T3122 Delay of sending another channel request message

o Interpretation: The timer T3122 delays the sending of another channel request.
o Timer start condition: The timer T3122 starts when the MS receives an
IMMEDIATE_ASSIGNMENT_REJECT message from the BTS.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T3122 stops when the MS makes a reselection
for another cell.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T3122 expires, the MS sends
a new CHANNEL_REQUEST message.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 2 s.
o Max. = 255 s.
o Def. = 6 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T3122 timer activation

18. T3168 Wait for Packet Uplink Assignment message
o Interpretation: The timer T3168 is used on the mobile station side to define
when to stop waiting for a Packet Uplink Assignment message after sending of
a Packet Resource request message. The unit is 500 ms (0 = 500 ms, 1 = 1 s,
2 = 1.5 s, etc.).
o Appropriate value:

o Min: 0
o Max: 7
o Def: 1

Rule = 19. Note that after a modification to this timer it takes about 5 minutes for processes to get
the new values. After 5 minutes disable and then re-enable GPRS in those cells where
GPRS is active for the change to take effect.
20. T3192 Wait for release of the TBF after reception of the final block
o Interpretation: The timer T3192 is used on the mobile station side when the
mobile station has received all of the RLC data blocks. When the timer T3192
expires the mobile station shall release the resources associated with the TBF
(for example TFI) and begin to monitor its paging channel. The unit is 500 ms (0
= 500 ms, 1 = 1 s, 2 = 1.5 s).
o Appropriate value:

o Min: 0
o Max: 2
o Def: 0

Rule = 21. Note that after a modification to this timer it takes about 5 minutes for processes to get
the new values. After 5 minutes disable and then re-enable GPRS in those cells where
GPRS is active for the change to take effect.
22. T9101 Supervision of the SCCP connection release

o
o
o
o
o

Interpretation: The timer T9101 supervises the reception of the

SCCP_RELEASED (RLSD) message.
Timer start condition: The timer T9101 starts when the BSC sends the
CLEAR_COMPLETE message to the MSC.
Timer stop condition: The timer T9101 stops when the RLSD message has
been received from the MSC.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9101 expires, the BSC
releases the SCCP connection by sending the RLSD message.
Appropriate value:

Def. = 10 s. (non-modifiable)
o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9101 timer activation

Figure: T9101 timer expiry

23. T9103 Supervision of the channel activation procedure
o Interpretation: The timer T9103 supervises the channel activation procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T9103 starts when the BSC sends the
CHANNEL_ACTIVATION message to the BTS.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T9103 stops when the
CHANNEL_ACTIVATION_ACK or the CHANNEL_ACTIVATION_NACK
message has been received from the BTS.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9103 expires, an
RF_CHANNEL_REL message is sent to the BTS.
o Appropriate value:

Def. = 2 s. (non-modifiable)
o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9103 timer activation

Figure: T9103 timer expiry

24. T9104 Supervision of the clear command from the MSC
o Interpretation: The timer T9104 supervises the clear command that comes from
the MSC.
o Timer start condition: The timer T9104 starts when the BSC sends a
CLEAR_CMD message to the MSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T9104 stops when the BSC receives a
CLEAR_CMD message from the MSC.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9104 expires, the
CLEAR_REQ message is repeated a maximum of four times.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 5 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 15 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9104 timer activation

Figure: T9104 timer expiry

25. T9105 Supervision of the SCCP connection procedure
o Interpretation: The timer T9105 supervises the SCCP connection procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T9105 starts when the BSC sends an
SCCP_CONNECTION_REQ message to the MSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T9105 stops when the BSC receives either an
SCCP_CONNECTION_CONFIRM or SCCP_CONNECTION_REFUSED
message from the MSC.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9105 expires, the BSC
sends a CHANNEL_REL message to the MS (via a BTS).
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 2 s.
o Max. = 240 s.
o Def. = 10 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9105 timer activation

Figure: T9105 timer expiry

26. T9108 Supervision of the physical context request procedure
o Interpretation: The timer T9108 supervises the physical context request
procedure.
o Timer start condition: The timer T9108 starts when the BSC sends the
PHYSICAL_CONTEXT_REQUEST message to the BTS.

o
o
o

Timer stop condition: The timer T9108 stops when the BSC receives the
PHYSICAL_CONTEXT_CONFIRM message from the BTS.
Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9108 expires, the BSC
sends an ASSIGNMENT_FAILURE message to the MSC.
Appropriate value:

Def. = 2 s. (non-modifiable)
o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9108 timer activation

Figure: T9108 timer expiry

27. T9113 Supervision of the external handover procedure in the target BSC
o Interpretation: The timer T9113 supervises the external handover in the target
BSC.
o Timer start condition: The timer T9113 starts when the BSC sends a
HANDOVER_REQUEST_ACK message to the MSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer T9113 stops either when the MS sends a
HANDOVER_CMP message or the MSC sends a CLEAR_CMD message.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer T9113 expires, the BSC
sends a CLEAR_REQUEST message to the MSC.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 8 s.
o Max. = 30 s.
o Def. = 13 s.

Rule = o

Signalling diagram:

Figure: T9113 timer activation

Figure: T9113 timer activation with a CLEAR_CMD message from the MSC
28. TBBI Measurement Relation Init procedure supervision (BSC-BSC interface)
o Interpretation: The TBBI timer supervises the Measurement Relation Initiation
procedure in the BSC - BSC interface.
o Timer start condition: The TBBI timer starts when a MEASUREMENT
RELATION INITIATION REQUEST message is sent to the other BSC.
o Timer stop condition: The timer TBBI stops when a MEASUREMENT
RELATION INITIATION RESPONSE message has been received from the
other BSC. It also stops when a MEASUREMENT RELATION INITIATION
FAILURE message is received from the other BSC.
o Action performed on timer expiry: When the timer TBBI expires, the 'Unknown
potentially interfering cell for DFCA' alarm is set.
o Appropriate value:

o Min. = 1 s.
o Max. = 60 s.
o Def. = 15 s.

Rule = Note that this timer has effect only if the DFCA application software is activated.

Signalling diagram:

Figure: Successful relation initiation procedure with TBBI timer activation

Figure: Unsuccessful relation initiation procedure

Figure: TBBI timer expiry