Session Border Controllers (SBCs) are critical for securing communication flows and ensuring reliable service delivery in telecom networks. Communication service providers (CSPs), they act as the gatekeepers of voice and data traffic, enforcing policies and protecting against external threats.
However, recent shifts in the SBC landscape have placed added pressure on providers still relying on legacy solutions. The closure of Microsoft’s Metaswitch Perimeta business is just one example that highlights the growing instability around legacy SBC vendors. This instability, combined with the evolving demands of modern telecom environments, has increased the risks associated with outdated SBC infrastructure.
This article explores four key risks CSPs face when continuing to use legacy SBC solutions.
Limited Deployment Flexibility
Legacy SBC solutions are often built for fixed, hardware-based environments. As network demands have changed, so has the need for more flexible deployment models. Modern CSPs require the ability to operate across cloud-native, hybrid, virtualized, and on-premises infrastructures. Legacy systems, by contrast, restrict these options. They are typically limited in how and where they can be deployed, making it harder for providers to scale their services or optimize infrastructure costs.
This lack of flexibility reduces the agility needed to adapt to evolving network architectures. Providers may find themselves locked into expensive hardware, forced to maintain outdated systems that limit operational efficiency.
Increased Security Vulnerabilities
As cyber threats become more advanced, relying on an SBC that no longer receives regular security updates puts the entire network at risk. Legacy SBCs are especially vulnerable to SIP-based fraud, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and other protocol-based exploits. Without proactive patching and security enhancements, these systems may become easy targets for attackers.
Security in telecom is not static. Threat vectors evolve rapidly, and infrastructure must keep pace. A legacy SBC that lacks current protections can quickly become a weak point in an otherwise secure environment. For CSPs, this introduces both financial and reputational risk, particularly if service outages or data breaches occur.
Vendor Support and Roadmap Misalignment
When an SBC vendor shifts its business focus away from CSP-specific needs, customers may be left with a product that no longer meets telecom requirements. Some vendors prioritize enterprise voice services or cloud-only deployments, leaving traditional CSP infrastructure behind. As a result, critical telecom features such as IMS, VoLTE, and 5G support may be deprioritized or phased out entirely.
This type of roadmap misalignment places CSPs in a difficult position. Without continued investment in telecom-relevant capabilities, service innovation slows. Providers may also face integration challenges as new services are introduced but not supported by their existing SBC.
Poor Scalability for 5G and Network Evolution
The transition to 5G, IMS-based services, and modern interconnect architectures requires infrastructure that can scale easily and efficiently. Legacy SBCs often struggle with this demand. Their design was not built for the dynamic, high-throughput needs of today’s telecom networks.
Scaling for new services, particularly those involving edge computing, network slicing, or next-generation interconnect, requires a level of performance and flexibility that outdated SBC platforms rarely deliver. This creates a significant barrier to growth. Without the ability to scale in line with new technologies, CSPs may fall behind competitors who have invested in more modern and flexible SBC solutions.
How to Address the Risks
CSPs facing these challenges should take a structured approach to evaluating and upgrading their SBC environment. The first step is to assess the current infrastructure and identify any limitations in deployment, security, or vendor support. This helps clarify where the most pressing gaps exist.
Next, it is essential to evaluate SBC options that offer ongoing security updates, flexible deployment across different environments, and support for evolving telecom standards. Migration planning should focus not only on replacing legacy systems but also on future-proofing the network for continued innovation and service expansion.
According to GSMA, global 5G adoption is expected to reach 45 percent by 2025. Infrastructure decisions made today will directly impact CSPs’ ability to compete in this fast-moving landscape.
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Legacy SBC solutions introduce operational and strategic risks for CSPs. As telecom networks evolve, the ability to scale, secure, and adapt infrastructure becomes essential. Relying on outdated systems limits deployment flexibility, increases vulnerability to cyber threats, and creates long-term alignment issues with vendors. It also makes it harder to adopt advanced services such as 5G and IMS.
CSPs that act early can reduce risk and position themselves for sustainable growth. Taking steps to assess infrastructure, evaluate migration paths, and choose a future-ready SBC platform is critical to maintaining service quality and competitive advantage in the years ahead.
Download the SBC Migration Readiness Checklist to evaluate your current SBC solution and start planning your secure and scalable future today.
