Mobile Switching Centre Server, abbreviated MSS is a 3G core network element which controls the Network Switching Subsystem elements. Alternatively or adaptively, MSS can be used in GSM networks as well, if the manufacturer has implemented support for GSM networks in the MSS. Since an immediate upgrade of existing GSM network to 3G is not viable due to various issues like handset incompatibilities and high expenditure, most manufacturers do implement GSM support in MSS. In fact, MSS along with other 3G network elements such as Media gateway (MGW), can be configured to support GSM network exclusively and can be considered as an upgraded version of existing GSM Mobile Switching Centres. The MSC Server is standards-based and communicates with other distributed elements using industry open sta