CODEWITHSUNDEEP
encryptiongsm
Prafulla
Prafulla

Reputation: 852

Encryption in GSM Voice communication

Is there end-to-end voice encryption in GSM ? If not, is voice communication between mobile handset and mobile base station, at least encrypted ? What keys are used there and which alogrithms ? any idea?

Upvotes: 5

Views: 2349

Answers (3)

TimeZlicer
TimeZlicer

Reputation: 65

Is there end-to-end voice encryption in GSM ?

No

However you can use secure voice on certain phones

Upvotes: 0

Mick
Mick

Reputation: 25491

Just to add, the encryption algorithms are different for 3G and 2G - not sure if you meant to be 2G specific in your question.

Again, for 3G the encryption is between the handset and the base station (or RNC - Radio Network Controller in 3G).

Note also that both 2G and 3G encryption have reportedly been cracked now:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/15/3g-gsm-encryption-cracked-in-less-than-two-hours/

Upvotes: 1

jweyrich
jweyrich

Reputation: 32260

Is there end-to-end voice encryption in GSM ?

No.

If not, is voice communication between mobile handset and mobile base station, at least encrypted ?
Yes. Read this.

What keys are used there and which alogrithms ?

A3, A5 and A8 (mostly COMP128).

For more references, read this and this.

Upvotes: 4

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