3GPP Explainer

3GPP Releases

3GPP standards evolve through a series of releases, each introducing new features and improvements to mobile network technologies. This page provides an overview of recent major releases and their key features [4].

3GPP Release Timeline
Key features introduced in recent 3GPP releases
Release 17 (2022)
  • Enhanced support for non-terrestrial networks
  • Improved positioning accuracy
  • Extended reality (XR) support
  • NR-Light for IoT devices
Release 16 (2020)
  • 5G NR-U (unlicensed spectrum)
  • Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) enhancements
  • Industrial IoT improvements
  • 5G NR in millimeter wave frequencies
Release 15 (2018)
  • Introduction of 5G New Radio (NR)
  • 5G core network architecture
  • Network slicing
  • Massive MIMO support
View full 3GPP release history
Release Cycle
Understanding the 3GPP standardization process

3GPP follows a structured release cycle to develop and maintain mobile network standards. Each release typically takes about 15-18 months to complete and includes the following stages [4]:

  1. Requirements gathering and analysis
  2. Architecture development
  3. Detailed protocol specification
  4. Implementation and testing
  5. Release freeze and documentation

This process ensures that new technologies are thoroughly developed, tested, and standardized before being implemented in commercial networks.

References
Sources used in this content
  1. TS 23.501 - System Architecture for the 5G System. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  2. TS 38.300 - NR and NG-RAN Overall Description. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  3. TS 23.401 - General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  4. 3GPP - About 3GPP Home. Accessed on 2025-01-23.