Download 3G Video Standard

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

* Release 98 and earlier releases specify pre-3G GSM networks.
* Release 99 specify the first UMTS 3G networks, incorporating a CDMA air interface.
* Release 4 - originally Release 2000 - adds features including an All IP Core Network.
* Release 5 introduces IMS and HSDPA.
* Release 6 integrates operation with Wireless LAN networks and adds HSUPA.
* Release 7 and onwards are still in the early stages, and work towards better integration with wired networks.

Each Release incorporates hundreds of individual standards documents, each of which may have been through many revisions.

Current 3GPP standards incorporate the latest revision of the GSM standards. 3GPP documents are made available freely on the organisation’s web site. Whilst 3GPP standards can be bewildering to the newcomer, they are a remarkably complete and detailed resource and provide insight into how the cellular industry works. They cover not only the radio part (”Air Interface”) and Core Network, but also billing information and speech coding down to source code level. Cryptographic aspects (authentication, confidentiality) are also freely specified in detail. 3GPP2 offer similar information about their system.

3GPP Deployment

3GPP systems are deployed across much of the established GSM market (primarily Release 99 systems to date). As of 2005, 3GPP systems are seeing deployment in the same markets as 3GPP2 systems (for example, North America). Industry commentators speculate constantly about the competing systems, with the outcome far from clear.