4G–5G Interworking (IWF)

Bridge your core generations with BroadForward 4G–5G Signaling Interworking. As a multi-protocol translation engine across Diameter and HTTP/2, it enables subscriber migration, hybrid 4G/5G policy and charging, and 3GPP-compliant interworking – protecting existing software investments, preventing vendor lock-in, and accelerating 5G Standalone evolution.

Deployment options:

Bare metal
Virtual machine
Container
Cloud

Features:

GUI based configuration management
Productized interworking solution
highly configurable, no scripting or coding
Support for N40↔Gy, N28↔Sy, N7↔Gx, and N17↔S13interworking
Multi vendor normalization and adaptation

Foundation

The BroadForward 4G–5G Signaling Interworking in Your Network

The BroadForward 4G–5G Signaling Interworking Function (IWF) provides a centralized translation and mediation layer for bridging legacy Diameter-based 4G LTE nodes with HTTP/2 Service-Based Architecture (SBA) network functions in 5G Standalone cores. Built on the BFX Unified Signaling Core, it maps signaling messages, parameters, and workflows between 4G network functions (such as PCRF, OCS, EIR, MME) and 5G network functions (PCF, CHF, AMF, 5G EIR). This allows operators to run a hybrid 4G–5G core network without immediate, costly end-to-end replacements of existing 4G systems.

Years of BFX USC in production

Operators running BFX USC

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GSMA GLOMO winner

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Trusted by

Multi-tenancy

Unifying Multi-Generation Coexistence: Centralized Protocol Translation

BroadForward products run on a common signaling engine, the BFX Unified Signaling Core (USC). One engine, one operational model, allowing operators to co-host 4G–5G Interworking alongside SCP, BSF, SEPP, and DSC, eliminating protocol silos, reducing integration points, and lowering total cost of ownership.

Features a 100% graphical interface (CLI is also supported) for configuring protocol mapping, parameter transformation, and custom mediation logic, empowering operators to adapt interfaces in real time without software coding or expensive vendor CR fees.

Extends translation beyond Diameter and HTTP/2 to include e.g., SS7, RADIUS, REST, and SOAP, enabling signaling paths across 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and Fixed/Wi-Fi domains.

Trusted by professionals

See why leading professionals choose BroadForward.

We’re proud to have been leveraging the BroadForward platform for quite a while. The solution has played an important role in enabling connectivity with operators and providers preparing for the 5G SA era. Its flexibility, reliability, and future-ready architecture make it a standout platform in the industry.

This not only saves money, but critically speeds time to market

An elegant and innovative solution to a legacy problem of critical voice networks — fulfils an immediate market need

One of the few independent signaling experts successful in winning business from operators looking for a multi-technology signaling platform

BroadForward’s solutions have already strengthened our signaling capabilities, driving greater operational efficiency

This not only saves money, but critically speeds time to market

An elegant and innovative solution to a legacy problem of critical voice networks — fulfils an immediate market need

One of the few independent signaling experts successful in winning business from operators looking for a multi-technology signaling platform

BroadForward’s solutions have already strengthened our signaling capabilities, driving greater operational efficiency

Specifications

Everything you need to evaluate, in one place

Supported Standards & Core Features

3GPP 4G–5G Interworking (TS 29.513) Fully compliant with 3GPP specifications for subscriber Policy (PCRF–PCF) and Charging (OCS–CHF) interworking.
Diameter (4G) to HTTP/2 (5G) Protocol Translation Performs real-time, bi-directional mapping between Diameter AVPs and HTTP/2 JSON payloads across control plane interfaces.
PCRF–PCF Policy & Session State Translation Bridges Diameter Gx/Rx policy traffic to 5G N7 HTTP/2 interfaces, maintaining policy control across mixed LTE and 5G SA sessions.
Online & Offline Charging Interworking (Gy/Ro to Nchf) Translates legacy Diameter Gy/Ro charging requests to 5G N40 service-based interfaces for centralized real-time rating and billing.
Multi-Vendor AVP & JSON Payload Normalization Provides dynamic packet inspection and parameter mapping to resolve non-standard vendor implementations on both Diameter and HTTP/2 sides.
GSMA Award-Nominated IWF Technology BroadForward IWF has been nominated multiple times by the GSMA for the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards in the category Best Mobile Technology.
Efficient & Cloud‑Agnostic Architecture Designed for low resource consumption and maximum deployment flexibility across bare metal, virtualized platforms, containers, or hybrid cloud environments.

Extended Features

Native Any-to-Any Protocol Translation Out-of-the-box support for translating HTTP/2, Diameter, SS7 (MAP/CAP), RADIUS, REST, and SOAP, supporting hybrid 2G–5G core network migration.
Single-Capacity Cross-Protocol Licensing Uses a flexible capacity license where signaling throughput shifts from 4G Diameter to 5G HTTP/2 as subscriber traffic shifts from 4G to 5G.
Vendor Independent Charging & Policy Harmonization Normalizes inconsistent AVP/JSON implementations across vendors, enabling operators to maintain consistent policy and charging behavior across mixed 4G and 5G deployments.
Seamless Co Hosting with SCP, SEPP, BSF, DSC Runs on the same BFX USC engine as other BroadForward products, allowing operators to consolidate multiple signaling functions into a single software footprint.

Get more product information

Request the latest data sheet for BroadForward 4G–5G Signaling Interworking and share it with your team for a complete technical overview.

Full technical specifications and supported interface list
Deployment topology and 4G–5G hybrid core integration overview

FAQ

We are happy to help you with any questions.

Deployment

Freedom of Environment: Deploying Where it Makes Sense

With the BFX Unified Signaling Core (USC) at its foundation, operators are not tied to a specific hardware vendor, appliance cycle, or hyperscaler. The BroadForward 4G-5G Interworking solution can be deployed or migrated across virtual machines, containers, or bare metal, using the same configuration, without re engineering. Because BroadForward USC separates the underlying execution platform from its interworking logic, message mapping tables, and service profiles, moving environments requires no re-engineering. All 4G–5G translation workflows, Diameter-to-JSON mapping rules, and protocol profiles built in the GUI can be exported as clean, platform-independent configuration files.