The A3 interface carries coded user information (voice/data) and signaling information between the Selection / Distribution unit function and the channel element component of the BTS (Base Transceiver System). The A3 interface is composed of two parts:
Signaling - the signaling information is carried across a separate logical channel from the user traffic channel, and controls the allocation and use of channels for transporting user traffic
User traffic - the user traffic is transported in traffic channels
