The OpenBTS Project

OpenBTS is an open-source Unix application that uses the Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) to present a GSM air interface ("Um") to standard GSM handset and uses the Asterisk software PBX to connect calls. The combination of the ubiquitous GSM air interface with VoIP backhaul could form the basis of a new type of cellular network that could be deployed and operated at substantially lower cost than existing technologies in greenfields in the developing world.

In plain language, we are working on a new kind of cellular network that can be installed and operated at about 1/10 the cost of current technologies, but that will still be compatible with most of the handsets that are already in the market. This technology can also be used in private network applications (wireless PBX, rapid deployment, etc.) at much lower cost and complexity than conventional cellular.

(Typical OpenBTS development kit: USRP, laptop and handsets. This particular example has a range of just a few meters, but can connect inbound and outbound PSTN calls through a VoIP gateway. Network in a small box.)

(Rapid deployment prototypes in field test, September 2009. Each box is self-contained BTS unit, runs on a 12-16 VCD supply, has a service radius of about 10 miles in rural conditions and backhauls through any IP connection to a VoIP carrier. Robust, simple, inexpensive network in a box.)


Project Links


Project News (Last Updated 3 February 2010)


OpenBTS Distribution Status

OpenBTS released OpenBTS 2.5 ("Lacassine") at the end of November. This is the first public release to include the smqueue RFC-3428 messaging server. That source code is normally available from GNU Radio, and will be again just as soon as we get settled in to their new "git" respository.

Show Us Your OpenBTS

Did you get OpenBTS up and running? Did you write it up on the web somewhere? We'd like to know!

Copyright 2008, 2009, 2010 Kestrel Signal Processing, Inc.
OpenBTS is a registered trademark of Kestrel Signal Processing, Inc.