What is TIR Terminating identification restriction
TIR: Unveiling Terminating Identification Restriction
Terminating Identification Restriction (TIR) is a supplementary service offered within the realm of telecommunications protocols, specifically associated with the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) MMTel (Multimedia Telephony) service framework. It empowers the called party (recipient) to control whether their identification information is presented to the calling party (initiator) during a communication attempt.
Understanding MMTel and the Role of Identification:
- MMTel, standardized by 3GPP, provides multimedia capabilities within mobile networks, encompassing services like video calls, instant messaging, and multimedia content delivery.
- During call setup procedures, identification information, typically the called party's phone number or name, is usually exchanged through signaling protocols like SIP (Session Initiation Protocol).
TIR: Empowering User Privacy:
- TIR grants control to the called party. They can choose to restrict the presentation of their identification information to the calling party. This can be beneficial for various reasons:
- Privacy protection: Users might not want their phone number displayed to unknown callers.
- Security concerns: In cases of potential spam or scam calls, TIR can help safeguard user privacy.
- Business scenarios: Professionals might prefer to withhold their personal numbers in certain situations.
How TIR Operates:
- Similar to its counterpart, Terminating Identification Presentation (TIP), TIR leverages the 3GPP MMTel framework. However, its functionality serves the opposite purpose.
- When TIR is enabled for the called party, a specific flag is set within their network subscription profile. This flag instructs the network to withhold the called party's identification information during call setup.
Technical Implementation:
- The specific technical implementation of TIR can vary depending on the network infrastructure and protocols employed. However, here's a general outline:
- Called Party Subscription Profile: The called party's subscription profile on the network indicates whether TIR is enabled or disabled.
- Call Initiation: When a call is initiated, the calling party's information is typically sent to the network along with the called party's address.
- TIR Flag Check: Upon receiving the call request, the network checks the called party's subscription profile for the TIR flag.
- Identification Blocking: If the TIR flag is set, the network modifies the call setup message to omit the called party's identification information. This modified message is then forwarded to the called party's device.
Benefits of Utilizing TIR:
- Enhanced User Control: TIR empowers users to decide whether their identification information is displayed during incoming calls.
- Privacy Protection: Users can maintain privacy by withholding their phone numbers from unwanted callers.
- Security Advantages: TIR can help mitigate spam and scam call attempts by preventing caller identification.
Limitations of TIR:
- Network Compatibility: Not all network operators and systems may universally support TIR functionality.
- Emergency Services: TIR might not be effective for emergency calls, as emergency services often rely on caller identification for routing purposes.
Understanding the Relationship between TIP and TIR:
- TIP and TIR are complementary services within the MMTel framework. While TIP facilitates faster call setup by providing early identification information, TIR empowers users to restrict this information for enhanced privacy control.
Conclusion:
TIR plays a crucial role in user privacy protection within modern telecommunication networks. By allowing users to restrict the presentation of their identification information, TIR empowers them to manage their own privacy preferences and potentially avoid unwanted calls. Understanding TIR is essential for telecommunication professionals and users who value control over their call experience and personal information.