Why SCTP is used in LTE signalling not TCP ?

Question

I want to know TCP is very useful protocol for connection establishment. In LTE why we use SCTP, not TCP.
Can anybody explain why it is so?

Answer 1

SCTP is no way less powerful then TCP, actually its have many more advantages as compare to TCP. Since over the period of last 10-15 years protocol got matured and part of the kernal itself that can be the reason why 3GPP team gave a preference over TCP while designing the LTE system.

Please check the following links
http://tech.queryhome.com/44164/what-is-the-main-advantage-of-using-sctp-over-tcp-ip
http://tech.queryhome.com/50754/sctp-vs-tcp-protocol

Comments

Thanks for your Inputs.

Answer 2

SCTP is used with telephony signalling along with other protocols of the SS7 stack. SCTP also carries PSTN signalling over IP. I think it was used for GSM/GPRS as well. Moreover LTE was also developed by 3GPP consortium. And SCTP has some specific advantages over TCP. That could be the reason why SCTP was preferred.