ITU-T H.248 is a "transport technology independent" or "bearer-independent" signalling protocol. This means it may be carried over multiple, different transport technologies. There is no tight coupling to a single, specific underlying protocol stack. Such a protocol design satisfies multiple protocol engineering requirements like: a) the signalling protocol is independent of network infrastructure, b) the signalling protocol may be used in present network infrastructures that are very heterogeneous concerning deployed bearer technologies, and c) the signalling protocol can be used in network infrastructures that evolve over time.

The choice of a particular transport technology, either due to an initial negotiation process or due to a later change procedure, may benefit from correspondent signalling elements.

This Recommendation provides functionality for the indication and negotiation of an ITU-T H.248 transport mode (see clause 3.1.1).