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3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)

Updated: Jul 20, 2021



WHAT IS 3GPP?

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is an umbrella term for a number of standards organizations which develop protocols for mobile telecommunications. Its best-known work is the development and maintenance of:

The 3GPP organizes its work into three different streams: Radio Access Networks, Services and Systems Aspects, and Core Network and Terminals. 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's International Mobile Telecommunications-2000, hence the name 3GPP.It should not be confused with 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), which developed a competing 3G system, CDMA2000.



WHEN IT IS STARTED?

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project initiative eventually arose from a strategic initiative between Nortel Networks and AT&T Wireless. In 1998 AT&T Wireless was operating an IS-136 (TDMA) wireless network in the United States. In 1997 Nortel Networks' Wireless R&D center in Richardson, Texas, the wireless division of Bell Northern Research had developed a vision for "an all Internet Protocol (IP)" wireless network that went under the internal name "Cell Web". As the concept progressed, Nortel launched the industry vision as "Wireless Internet". AT&T Wireless, poised to evolve its network in the United States, took a strong interest in Wireless Internet and its promise of Internet Protocol (with Nortel Networks as the potential supplier). Within 12 months or so, AT&T launched a global initiative that they named "3GIP", a third-generation wireless standard that was "natively" Internet Protocol based. Initially, principal participants included British Telecom, France Telecom, Telecom Italia, and Nortel Networks, but were eventually joined by NTT DoCoMo, BellSouth, Telenor, Lucent, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and others. A 3GIP standards forum was instituted and standards began to be developed. The forum progressed into the 2000-time frame, up until AT&T Wireless and British Telecom formed a strategic "partnership project" to facilitate "global roaming" between U.S. and European markets. With this business arrangement, GSM, the prevailing European standard was adopted as the basis of AT&T Wireless' network evolution for North America. Very specifically, this included the deployment of GSM data capabilities. 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 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.



DISCLAIMER

The information is provided by Tecquisition for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.

If you have any feedback, comments, requests for technical support or other inquiries, please mail us by tecqusition@gmail.com.





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