I'm fairly new to the mobile world and am still coming to terms with a whole new world of terminologies.  The project is to test out a theory in my lab before wanting to scale this at a larger level for commercial purposes.

The intent is to be able to have roaming available with a roaming aggregator in the United States with a small-scale mobile network enabled using OpenSource software.

We are probably looking at implementing no more than 15 BTS's nationwide to attract roaming customers at high traffic locations.

Our roaming aggregator would like us to send them MAP SS7 Messages from our MSC.

My understanding of the requirements so far are:

1 x BTS (this could be a PC with some radio cards or something like a nanoBTS)

1 x MSC/BSC/VLR

We won't be issuing any sim cards on our own network in the long run and hence I don't see the point in us having a unique HLR.

Are there any gurus here that would be willing to share their intelligence?