The Signalling System Number 7 is an ITU
standard for signalling in telephone networks.
Signalling System Number 7 (Signalling System
Number 7) is an international telecommunications standard developed by the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunication Sector (ITU-T). The Signalling System Number 7
standard defines the procedures and protocols by which elements in
the public switched telephone network (PSTN) exchange out-of-band signalling information
over a digital signalling network. The protocols and procedures define
such things as call set-up and tear-down, call management, call
routing, call forwarding, display of calling party number, wireless services,
and so on. The Signalling System Number 7 standard refers to out-of-band
signalling, that is signalling that is not sent down the
same channel as the voice call.
In GSM, the Signalling System Number 7
is used for all signalling on
all links except for the air interface (or radio interface).