Page 21 - 3GPP Highlights

Do you see a need for change
in the ways we work, to suit
newcomers, or support experts
with a non-3GPP background
coming in?
Offering a smooth introduction to the
newcomers is one of the needs that we
are addressing. We saw over the recent
years a big increase in the number of new
members and also in the size of delegations
from existing members. There is also
an increasing amount of movement by
delegates from one group to another. So,
this issue is becoming even more important.
I believe that one key aspect that eases
any introduction to newcomers is having
a harmonized way of working across the Issam Toufik surrounded by friendly faces and dodgy back-drops at the MCC weekly call.
groups. We have common tools now and
this is set to spread, helping newcomers group’s Secretary that gets the early call for sessions each meeting, with a similar
to ‘speak 3GPP’ or at least to save them assistance. situation occurring in RAN2 and RAN4.
having to pick-up from scratch when they Having said that, we do need to listen to
wonder into another working group. Over the years there have been the needs of the technical leadership; if we
some group closures and the have to expand to cover further growth, in
Having a 3GPP Portal in place is a part of
that, we can use the platform to improve creation of a new group, for new areas, we must be ready to adapt.
how we support the process. The 3GU Mission Critical Applications. Will Finally, a word about your
Portal experience is not stress free, at the 5G need further additions? predecessor. John Meredith
moment, but we will see improvements
in how it copes with very busy, large scale I don’t think that we need or will see any retires at the end of the year,
meetings. We will also seek to improve the changes in the groups structure in the what is his legacy?
usability of the Portal, so that it becomes an near future. Even though we have seen First, I am grateful to have a four month
exact fit for its purpose. a considerable increase in the workload
over the past years especially in RAN, the period where John is still here. John has
For newcomers, our TSG Chairs do a current structure coped well with these been in 3GPP since its creation and he
lot with regular newcomer’s sessions peaks of new work, within the TSG and WG knows everything there is to know about
at Plenary and an informal mentors structure, by running parallel sessions for 3GPP history, specifications, working
programme for anyone who needs it. the different subjects with the same group. procedures, ... etc.
MCC has a role here too, as it is often the If there was an award for being the
3GPP Membership contact person or the RAN1 are working in five to six parallel
“3GPP Wikipedia”, it would go to John
– No contest. We have to replace the
irreplaceable and it will take two of us to
do that. I am lucky that Frederic Firmin will
step up to be the Specifications manager.
We will work closely together to try to fill
the John M. shaped hole in MCC.

As the MCC Director, John always had a
helpful word, when advice was needed –
delivered in a uniquely kind way. He will
be greatly missed here in the team, in
ETSI and certainly in the broader 3GPP
standardization community.

Issam Toufik is Director of the Mobile
Competence Centre (MCC), responsible for the
management of the 18 strong team, reporting
to the ETSI CTO.
The retiring John Meredith
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