View source for 3GPP

{{About|the mobile telecommunications standards organizations|the multimedia formats|3GP and 3G2}}
{{Short description|Mobile telecommunications standards body}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = 3rd Generation Partnership Project
| abbreviation = 3GPP
| type = [[Standards organization]]
| formation = {{start date and age|1998}}
| logo = Logo 3GPP.svg
| region_served = Worldwide
| website = {{URL|https://www.3gpp.org/}}
}}
The '''3rd Generation Partnership Project''' ('''3GPP''') is an umbrella term for a number of [[standards organization]]s which develop protocols for [[mobile telecommunications]]. Its best known work is the development and maintenance of:<ref>[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Inbox/2008_web_files/3GPP_Scopeando310807.pdf 3GPP Scope and Objectives, 31 August 2007]</ref>
* [[GSM]] and related [[2G]], [[2.5G]], and [[2.75G]] standards, including [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]] and [[Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]]
* [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]] and related [[3G]] standards, including [[High Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] and [[Evolved High Speed Packet Access|HSPA+]]
* [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] and related [[4G]] standards, including [[LTE Advanced]] and [[LTE Advanced Pro]]
* [[5G NR]] and related [[5G]] standards, including [[5G-Advanced]]
* An evolved [[IP Multimedia Subsystem]] (IMS) developed in an access independent manner

3GPP is a consortium with [[3GPP#Organizational Partners|seven national or regional telecommunication standards organizations]] as primary members ("organizational partners") and a [[#Market Representation Partners|variety of other organizations]] as associate members ("market representation partners"). The 3GPP organizes its work into three different streams: [[Radio Access Network]]s, Services and Systems Aspects, and Core Network and Terminals.<ref name="About 3GPP">{{Cite web|url=http://www.3gpp.org/about-3gpp/about-3gpp|title=About 3GPP|publisher=3GPP|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref>

The project was established in December 1998 with the goal of developing a specification for a [[3G]] [[mobile phone]] system based on the [[2G]] [[GSM]] system, within the scope of the [[International Telecommunication Union|International Telecommunication Union's]] [[International Mobile Telecommunications-2000]], hence the name 3GPP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3gpp.org/About_3GPP/3gpp.htm|title=3GPP Background|date=2000-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000706195240/http://www.3gpp.org/About_3GPP/3gpp.htm|archive-date=2000-07-06}}</ref> It should not be confused with [[3rd Generation Partnership Project 2]] (3GPP2), which developed a competing 3G system, [[CDMA2000]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.3gpp2.org/ |title=3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=23 January 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040123013738/http://3gpp2.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 3GPP administrative support team (known as the "Mobile Competence Centre") is located at the [[European Telecommunications Standards Institute]] headquarters in the [[Sophia Antipolis]] technology park in France.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://3gpp.org/Mobile-Competence-Centre|title=Mobile Competence Centre|publisher=3GPP|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref>

== Organizational partners ==
The seven 3GPP organizational partners are from Asia, Europe and North America. Their aim is to determine the general policy and strategy of 3GPP and perform the following tasks:
* The approval and maintenance of the 3GPP scope;
* The maintenance of the partnership project description;
* Take the decision to create or cease a Technical Specification Groups, and approve their scope and terms of reference;
* The approval of organizational partner funding requirements;
* The allocation of human and financial resources provided by the organizational partners to the Project Co-ordination Group;
* Act as a body of appeal on procedural matters referred to them.

Together with the market representation partners (MRPs) perform the following tasks:

* The maintenance of the partnership project agreement;
* The approval of applications for 3GPP partnership;
* Take the decision against a possible dissolution of 3GPP.

The organizational partners are:<ref name="partners">{{cite web|url=https://www.3gpp.org/about-3gpp/partners|title=Partners|website=3GPP|access-date=1 January 2025}}</ref>
{| border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="top" class="sortable wikitable"
|+ align="center" style="background:DarkSlateBlue; color:white"|<big>'''Organizational partners'''</big>
! width="450 px" style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Organization
! width="150 px" style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Country/region
! width="100 px" style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Website
|-
| [[Association of Radio Industries and Businesses]] (ARIB)||align="center"|Japan||align="center"|[http://www.arib.or.jp ARIB]
|-
| [[Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions]] (ATIS)||align="center"|USA||align="center"|[http://www.atis.org ATIS]
|-
| [[China Communications Standards Association]] (CCSA)||align="center"|China||align="center"|[http://www.ccsa.org.cn CCSA]
|-
| [[European Telecommunications Standards Institute]] (ETSI)||align="center"|Europe||align="center"|[http://www.etsi.org ETSI]
|-
| [[TSDSI|Telecommunications Standards Development Society]] (TSDSI)|| align="center" |India||align="center"|[https://tsdsi.in/ TSDSI]
|-
|{{ill|Telecommunications Technology Association|ko|한국정보통신기술협회}} (TTA)||align="center"|South Korea||align="center"|[http://www.tta.or.kr TTA]
|-
| [[Telecommunication Technology Committee]] (TTC)||align="center"|Japan||align="center"|[http://www.ttc.or.jp TTC]
|}

== Market representation partners ==

The 3GPP organizational partners can invite a market representation partner to take part in 3GPP, which:

*Has the ability to offer market advice to 3GPP and to bring into 3GPP a consensus view of market requirements (e.g., services, features and functionality) falling within the 3GPP scope;
*Does not have the capability and authority to define, publish and set standards within the 3GPP scope, nationally or regionally;
*Has committed itself to all or part of the 3GPP scope;
*Has signed the partnership project agreement.

{{As of|2025|January}}, the market representation partners are:<ref name="partners"/>
{| border="0" style="background:#ffffff" align="top" class="sortable wikitable"
|+ align="center" style="background:DarkSlateBlue; color:white"|<big>'''Market representation partners'''</big>
! width="450 px" style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Organization
! width="100 px" style="background:Lavender; color:Black"|Website
|-
| 5G-ACIA
|http://www.5g-acia.org
|-
| [[5G Automotive Association]]
|http://www.5gaa.org/
|-
| 5G Americas
|http://www.5gamericas.org
|-
| Deterministic Networking Alliance (5GDNA)
|https://www.5gdna.org/
|-
| 6G Smart Network and Services Industry Association (6G-IA)
|https://6g-ia.eu/
|-
| 5G Slicing Association (5GSA)
|https://www.5g-sa.org/
|-
| 5G Media Action Group (5G-MAG)
|http://www.5g-mag.com/
|-
| Automotive Edge Computing Consortium (AECC)
|https://aecc.org/
|-
| Broadband India Forum
|http://www.broadbandindiaforum.com/
|-
| [[Cellular Operators Association of India]] (COAI)
|https://www.coai.com
|-
| {{ill|China Society of Automotive Engineers|zh|中国汽车工程学会}} (CSAE)
|http://www.sae-china.org/
|-
| [[CTIA (organization)|CTIA]]
|http://ctia.org/
|-
| Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA)
|https://gsoasatellite.com/
|-
| [[Global Certification Forum]] (GCF)
|https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/
|-
| [[Global mobile Suppliers Association]] (GSA)
|https://gsacom.com/
|-
| [[GSMA]]
|https://www.gsma.com/
|-
| IPV6 Forum
|https://www.ipv6forum.com/
|-
| [[Next Generation Mobile Networks]] (NGMN)
|https://www.ngmn.org/
|-
| Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Forum
|http://www.psc-europe.eu/
|-
| Small Cell Forum
|https://www.smallcellforum.org/
|-
| TCCA
|https://tcca.info/
|-
| TD Industry Alliance
|http://www.tdia.cn/
|-
| [[Wireless Broadband Alliance]]
|http://www.wballiance.com/
|}

== Standards ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Global System for Mobile Communications]] -->

3GPP standards are structured as ''Releases''. Discussion of 3GPP thus frequently refers to the functionality in one release or another.

{| class="wikitable"
!width="100"|Version<ref>[http://www.3gpp.org/releases Releases]</ref>
!width="150"|Released<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.3gpp.org/specifications |title=3GPP Specifications – Releases (and phases and stages) |access-date=16 September 2010}}</ref>
!Info
|-
|'''Phase 1'''
|1992
|GSM features
|-
|'''Phase 2'''
|1995
|GSM features, [[Enhanced full rate|EFR]] codec,
|-
|'''Release 96'''
|1997 Q1
|GSM features, 14.4&nbsp;kbit/s user data rate,
|-
|'''Release 97'''
|1998 Q1
|GSM features, [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]]
|-
|'''Release 98'''
|1999 Q1
|GSM features, [[Adaptive Multi-Rate audio codec|AMR codec]], [[Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]], GPRS for PCS1900
|-
|'''Release 99'''
|2000 Q1
|Specified the first [[Universal mobile telecommunications system|UMTS]] 3G networks, incorporating a [[code-division multiple access|CDMA]] air interface<ref>Overview of 3GPP Release 99, Summary of all Release 99 Features. ETSI Mobile Competence Centre, Version xx/07/04</ref>
|-
|'''Release 4'''
|2001-06-21
|Originally called the '''Release 2000''' – added features including an [[Next Generation Network|all-IP]] core network<ref>Overview of 3GPP Release 4, Summary of all Release 4 Features, v.1.1.0 (draft) ETSI Mobile Competence Centre 2004</ref>
|-
|'''Release 5'''
|2002-09-12
|Introduced [[IP Multimedia Subsystem|IMS]] and [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]]<ref>Summary of all Release 5 Features, ETSI Mobile Competence Centre, Version 9 September 2003</ref>
|-
|'''Release 6'''
|2005-09-28
|Integrated operation with [[Wireless LAN]] networks and adds [[High-Speed Uplink Packet Access|HSUPA]], [[Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service|MBMS]], enhancements to [[IP Multimedia Subsystem|IMS]] such as [[Push to Talk over Cellular|Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC)]], [[Generic Access Network|GAN]]<ref>Overview of 3GPP Release 6, Summary of all Release 6 Features, Version TSG #33, ETSI Mobile Competence Centre 2006</ref>
|-
|'''Release 7'''
|2008-03-13
|Focuses on decreasing latency, improvements to [[Quality of service|QoS]] and real-time applications such as [[Voice over IP|VoIP]].<ref>Review of the Work Plan at Plenaries #31, 3GPP, SP-060232 3GPP TSG SA#31 Sanya, 13–16 March 2006</ref> This specification also focus on [[HSPA+]] (High Speed Packet Access Evolution), [[Subscriber Identity Module|SIM]] high-speed protocol and contactless front-end interface ([[near-field communication]] enabling operators to deliver contactless services like [[Mobile Payment]]s), [[Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution#Evolved EDGE|EDGE Evolution]].
|-
|'''Release 8'''
|2009-03-12
|First '''[[3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]]''' release. All-IP network (SAE). New [[OFDMA]], [[Frequency-domain equalization|FDE]] and [[MIMO]] based radio interface, not backwards compatible with previous CDMA interfaces. [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access#Dual-Cell|Dual-cell HSDPA]]. [[UMTS]] [[Home Node B|HNB]].
|-
|'''Release 9'''
|2010-03-25
|SAES Enhancements, [[WiMAX]] and LTE/[[Universal mobile telecommunications system|UMTS]] Interoperability. Dual-cell HSDPA with [[MIMO]], [[DC-HSUPA|Dual-cell HSUPA]]. [[3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]] [[Home eNode B|HeNB]]. Evolved multimedia broadcast and multicast service ([[eMBMS]]).
|-
|'''Release 10'''
|2011-06-08
|'''[[LTE Advanced]]''' fulfilling [[IMT Advanced]] [[4G]] requirements. Backwards compatible with release 8 (LTE). Multi-cell HSDPA (4 carriers).
|-
|'''Release 11'''
|2013-03-06
|Advanced IP [[interconnection]] of services. [[Service layer]] interconnection between national operators/carriers as well as third-party application providers. [[Heterogeneous network]]s (HetNet) improvements, coordinated multi-point operation (CoMP). In-device co-existence (IDC).
|-
|'''Release 12'''
|2015-03-13
|Enhanced [[small cell]]s (higher order modulation, dual connectivity, cell discovery, self configuration), [[Carrier aggregation]] (2 uplink carriers, 3 downlink carriers, FDD/TDD carrier aggregation), MIMO (3D channel modeling, elevation beamforming, massive MIMO), New and enhanced services (cost and range of MTC, [[Device-to-device|D2D]] communication, eMBMS enhancements)<ref name="Release 12 highlights">{{cite web | url=http://www.unwiredinsight.com/2014/highlights-of-3gpp-release-12 | title=Highlights of 3GPP Release 12 | access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref>
|-
|'''Release 13'''
|2016-03-11
|'''[[LTE-Advanced Pro]]'''. [[LTE-U|LTE in unlicensed]], LTE enhancements for machine-type communication. Elevation beamforming / full-dimension MIMO, [[indoor positioning]].<ref name="Release 13 priorities">{{cite web | url=http://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/1628-rel13 | title=Release 13 priorities | access-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> 
|-
|'''Release 14'''
|2017-06-09
|Energy efficiency, location services (LCS), mission-critical data over LTE, mission-critical [[video over LTE]], flexible mobile service steering (FMSS), multimedia broadcast supplement for [[Emergency population warning|public warning system]] (MBSP), enhancement for TV services over eMBMS, massive [[Internet of things]], cell broadcast service (CBS)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.3gpp.org/Specifications.aspx?q=1&releases=189|title=3GPP Portal > Specifications|website=portal.3gpp.org|access-date=2016-10-27}}</ref>
|-
|'''Release 15'''
|2019-06-07
|First '''[[5G NR]] ("New Radio")''' release. Support for 5G [[Vehicle-to-everything|vehicle-to-x]] service, [[IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem]] (IMS), future railway mobile communication system<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.3gpp.org/Specifications.aspx?q=1&releases=190|title=3GPP Portal > Specifications|website=portal.3gpp.org|access-date=2016-10-27}}</ref>
|-
|'''Release 16'''
|2020-07-03
|The [[5G]] system – phase 2: 5G enhancements, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), satellite access<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://portal.3gpp.org/Specifications.aspx?q=1&releases=191|title=3GPP Portal > Specifications|website=portal.3gpp.org|access-date=2020-07-14}}</ref>
|-
|'''Release 17'''
|2022-06-10
|TSG RAN: several features that continue to be important for overall efficiency and performance of 5G NR: MIMO, spectrum sharing enhancements, UE power saving and coverage enhancements. RAN1 will also undertake the necessary study and specification work to enhance the physical layer to support frequency bands up to 71 GHz.

TSG SA groups focused on further enhancements to the 5G system and enablers for new features and services:

Enhanced support of: non-public networks, [[Industrial internet of things|industrial Internet of things]], low complexity NR devices, [[edge computing]] in 5GC, access traffic steering, switch and splitting support, network automation for 5G, [[network slicing]], advanced V2X service, multiple USIM support, proximity-based services in 5GS, 5G multicast broadcast services, [[Unmanned Aerial System|unmanned aerial system]]s (UAS), satellite access in 5G, 5GC location services, multimedia priority service...<ref name="ericsson-r17-r18">{{Cite web|title=5G evolution toward 5G advanced: An overview of 3GPP releases 17 and 18|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/reports-and-papers/ericsson-technology-review/articles/5g-evolution-toward-5g-advanced|access-date=2022-08-25|website=Ericsson|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|'''Release 18'''
|2024-06-21
|'''[[5G-Advanced]]'''. Introducing further [[machine-learning]] based techniques at different levels of the wireless network. [[Edge computing]], evolution of IMS multimedia telephony service, smart energy and infrastructure, vehicle-mounted relays, low power high accuracy positioning for industrial IoT scenarios, enhanced access to and support of [[network slicing]], satellite backhaul in 5G...<ref>{{Cite web|title=Release 18|url=https://www.3gpp.org/release18|access-date=2021-11-25|website=3gpp.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=5G-Advanced's system architecture begins taking shape at 3GPP|url=https://www.nokia.com/blog/5g-advanceds-system-architecture-begins-taking-shape-at-3gpp/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Nokia|language=en}}</ref><ref name="ericsson-r17-r18" />
|-
|'''Release 19''' <ref>{{Cite web |title=Release 19 |url=https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases/release-19 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=3GPP |language=en-us}}</ref>
|Target 2025 Q4
|5G-Advanced.  
|}
Each release incorporates hundreds of individual technical specification and technical report documents, each of which may have been through many revisions. Current 3GPP standards incorporate the latest revision of the [[GSM]] standards.

The documents are made available without charge on 3GPP's web site. The technical specifications cover not only the radio part ("''air interface''") and core network, but also billing information and speech coding down to source code level. [[Cryptography|Cryptographic]] aspects (such as [[authentication]], [[confidentiality]]) are also specified.

== Specification groups ==

The 3GPP specification work is done in Technical Specification Groups (TSGs) and Working Groups (WGs).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.3gpp.org/Specification-Groups |title=Specification Groups |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509054716/http://3gpp.org/Specification-Groups |archive-date=9 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are three Technical Specifications Groups, each of which consists of multiple WGs:

* '''RAN''' (Radio Access Network): RAN specifies the [[UTRAN]] and the [[E-UTRAN]]. It is composed of six working groups.
{| class="wikitable"
!width="100 px"|WG
!width="100 px"|Shorthand
!Scope
!Specifications
|-
|align="center"|'''RAN WG1'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/RAN1-Radio-layer-1 RAN1]
|Radio Layer 1 (Physical layer)
|[http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/TSG-WG--R1.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''RAN WG2'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/RAN2-Radio-layer-2-and-Radio-layer RAN2]
|Radio Layer 2 and Radio Layer 3 Radio Resource Control
|[http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/TSG-WG--R2.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''RAN WG3'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/RAN3-Iu-Iub-Iur-S1-X2-and-UTRAN-E RAN3]
|UTRAN, E-UTRAN, NG-RAN architecture and related network interfaces
|[http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/TSG-WG--R3.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''RAN WG4'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/RAN4-Radio-performance-and RAN4]
|Radio performance and protocol aspects
|[http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/TSG-WG--R4.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''RAN WG5'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/RAN5-Mobile-terminal-conformance RAN5]
|Mobile terminal conformance testing
|[http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/TSG-WG--R5.htm List of specs]
|}

* '''SA''' (Service and System Aspects): SA specifies the service requirements and the overall architecture of the 3GPP system. It is also responsible for the coordination of the project. SA is composed of six working groups.
{| class="wikitable"
!width="100 px"|WG
!width="100 px"|Shorthand
!Scope
!Specifications
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG1'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/SA1-Services SA1]
|Services
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S1.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG2'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/SA2-Architecture SA2]
|Architecture
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S2.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG3'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/SA3-Security SA3]
|Security
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S3.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG4'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/SA4-Codec SA4]
|Codec
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S4.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG5'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/SA5-Telecom-Management SA5]
|Management, Orchestration and Charging
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S5.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''SA WG6'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/specifications-groups/sa-plenary/sa6-mission-critical-applications SA6]
|Application Enablement and Critical Communication Applications
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--S6.htm List of specs]
|}

* '''CT''' (Core Network and Terminals): CT specifies the core network and terminal parts of 3GPP. It includes the core network – terminal layer 3 protocols. It is composed of five working groups.
{| class="wikitable"
!width="100 px"|WG
!width="100 px"|Shorthand
!Scope
!Specifications
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG1'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/CT1-MM-CC-SM-lu CT1]
|User Equipment – Core Network protocols
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--C1.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG2'''
|align="center"|CT2
|closed
|
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG3'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/CT3-Interworking-with-External CT3]
|Interworking with external networks
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--C3.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG4'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/CT4-MAP-CAMEL-GTP-BCH-SS-TrFO-IMS CT4]
|Core Network Protocols
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--C4.htm List of specs]
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG5''' (closed)
|align="center"|[https://www.3gpp.org/3gpp-groups/closed-groups CT5]
|Open Services Access (OSA)
|Succeeded by the [[Open Mobile Alliance]]
|-
|align="center"|'''CT WG6'''
|align="center"|[http://www.3gpp.org/CT6-Smart-Card-Application-Aspects CT6]
|Smart Card Application Aspects
|[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/TSG-WG--C6.htm List of specs]
|}

* '''GERAN''' (GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network): 
The closure of GERAN was announced in January 2016.<ref>[http://www.3gpp.org/news-events/3gpp-news/1762-iot_geran closure of GERAN]</ref> The specification work on legacy GSM/EDGE system was transferred to RAN WG, RAN6. RAN6 was closed in July 2020 (https://www.3gpp.org/news-events/2128-r6_geran).

The 3GPP structure also includes a Project Coordination Group, which is the highest decision-making body. Its missions include the management of overall timeframe and work progress.

== Standardization process ==

3GPP standardization work is contribution-driven. Companies ("individual members") participate through their membership to a 3GPP organizational partner. As of December 2020, 3GPP is composed of 719 individual members.<ref>[http://www.3gpp.org/membership 3GPP membership]</ref>

Specification work is done at WG and at TSG level:<ref>[http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/21900.htm 3GPP TR 21.900 Technical Specification Group working methods]</ref>
* the 3GPP WGs hold several meetings a year. They prepare and discuss change requests against 3GPP specifications. A change request accepted at WG level is called "agreed".
* the 3GPP TSGs hold plenary meetings quarterly. The TSGs can "approve" the change requests that were agreed at WG level. Some specifications are under the direct responsibility of TSGs and therefore, change requests can also be handled at TSG level. The approved change requests are subsequently incorporated in 3GPP specifications.

3GPP follows a three-stage methodology as defined in [[ITU-T]] Recommendation I.130:<ref>[http://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-I.130-198811-I/ ITU-T Recommendation I.130]</ref>
* ''stage 1 specifications'' define the service requirements from the user point of view.
* ''stage 2 specifications'' define an architecture to support the service requirements.
* ''stage 3 specifications'' define an implementation of the architecture by specifying protocols in details.
Test specifications are sometimes defined as stage 4, as they follow stage 3.

Specifications are grouped into releases. A release consists of a set of internally consistent set of features and specifications.

Timeframes are defined for each release by specifying freezing dates. Once a release is frozen, only essential corrections are allowed (i.e. addition and modifications of functions are forbidden). Freezing dates are defined for each stage.

The 3GPP specifications are transposed into deliverables by the organizational partners.

== See also ==
* [[List of mobile phone generations]]
* [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System]] (UMTS)
* [[3GPP Long Term Evolution]]
* [[Evolution to 3G]]
* [[IP Multimedia Subsystem]]
* [[3GP]]
* [[3GPP2]] – The 3GPP's counterpart in the [[CDMA2000]] sphere.
* [[GSM services]]
* [[LoRa|LoRaWAN]]
* [[Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks]] (TISPAN)
* [[Open Mobile Alliance]]
* [[Service data adaptation protocol]]
* [[Service layer]]
* [[ETSI|European Telecommunications Standards Institute]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.3gpp.org/ 3GPP website]
* [http://sites.google.com/site/lteencyclopedia/lte-acronyms 3GPP Standards List of Acronyms & Terminology]
* [http://www.3gpp.org/specification-numbering 3GPP freely published, detailed technical specifications]
* [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Information/WORK_PLAN/Description_Releases/ 3GPP releases descriptions]
* [http://webapp.etsi.org/key/queryform.asp ETSI GSM UMTS 3GPP Numbering Cross Reference]
* [http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/specs/html-info/status-report.htm TS/TR]
* [http://www.3gpp.org/Specification-Numbering specification numbering]
* [http://webbrain.com/brainpage/brain/A785310D-5623-E3D7-C68A-1A53BB98BD05/ Tool for visualizing multiple inter-related 3gpp standards]
* [http://www.3gpp-message-analyser.com/ Tool for visualizing, decoding, encoding network protocol messages defined by 3gpp]
* [http://lte-3gpp.info/ LTE-3GPP.info: online 3GPP messages decoder fully supporting Rel.15]

{{Mobile telecommunications standards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:3gpp}}
[[Category:3GPP standards]]
[[Category:Telecommunications organizations]]
[[Category:Mobile telecommunications standards]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Companies established in 1998]]