By Puneet Jain, 3GPP TSG SA Chair

First published December 2024, in Highlights Issue 09

In the fast-evolving world of mobile telecommunications, standards development is an intricate process, with each new release refining, building, and expanding upon its predecessor. 3GPP’s latest focus on Release 20 (Rel-20) represents a crucial step toward the next-generation network architecture, balancing the dual objectives of advancing 5G while laying the groundwork for 6G. This journey is about pushing boundaries, meticulous planning, and fostering collaboration on a timeline that must come together in seamless harmony.

Rel-20 introduces a unique approach, dividing its focus into two key components: Rel-20_5GA for 5G-Advanced and Rel-20_6G for early 6G studies (see figure 1). This dual-track framework allows 3GPP to innovate within 5G-Advanced, supporting near-term network upgrades, while simultaneously initiating the research phase for 6G, which will unfold more fully in Release 21. Each track operates under separate timelines and planning strategies, making Rel-20 adaptable across various TSG and WG groups based on their resource priorities.

5G-Advanced in Rel-20: Building on the Foundations of 5G

For Rel-20 5G-Advanced, 3GPP has set an 18-month roadmap focused on enhancing the current capabilities of 5G. The planned schedule ensures a steady progression toward critical upgrades, with progressive freezes as follows:

• Stage-1 (service requirements) is expected to freeze in June 2025.
• Stage-2 (system architecture aspects) has a two-tier timeline, with 80% completion anticipated by June 2026, leading to a final freeze in September 2026.
• Stage-3 (protocol details) is targeted for March 2027, followed by the final ASN.1/OpenAPI freeze in June 2027.

In SA1, which is dedicated to service requirements and use cases, three Rel-20 5G-Advanced studies are advancing steadily: Satellite Access - Phase 4 (FS_5GSAT_Ph4), Future Railway Mobile Communication System - Phase 6 (FS_FRMCS_Ph6), and Energy Efficiency as Service Criteria Phase 2 (FS_EnergyServ_Ph2). Six new Mini-WIDs (Work Item Descriptions) have also been agreed upon, furthering Rel-20’s innovative focus.

For the other SA working groups, the primary focus remains on preparation for the Rel-20 5G-Advanced Workshop scheduled for December 2024. This workshop, a key component of SA#106, will bring together each working group’s insights to identify high-level themes that deserve focused attention in Rel-20. The gathering will mark a pivotal point, where initial concepts begin to take shape and crystallize into a roadmap for the future. Key decisions on the prioritization process—whether a single-step or two-step prioritization will be applied—are expected to follow the workshop.

6G Studies in Rel-20: Laying the Groundwork for the Next Generation

For Rel-20 6G studies, the journey ahead involves deep exploratory work. This track of Rel-20 is solely dedicated to 6G studies, with the normative work for 6G slated for the next release, Release 21. These studies will form the foundation for 6G’s service requirements, use cases, and system architecture.

There is a detailed article in this issue (see page 18) for WG SA1 aspects, covering the 3GPP workshop on IMT2030 use cases (May 2024), the start of SA1 work on 6G use cases and service requirements (FS_6G_REQ), and the progress of TR 22.870, which is to serve as their on-going study as the release progresses.

Other working groups, such as SA2, aim for SI approvals by June 2025 (TSG#108), while timelines for SA3/4/5/6 are still under consideration. The completion of 6G studies will be coordinated across TSG SA Working Groups, with final milestones projected for as late as 2027. This gradual approach will enable 3GPP to iterate, refine, and build consensus, setting the stage for Release 21, which will officially initiate normative work for 6G.

To streamline 6G’s development, 3GPP’s TSG-wide 6G workshop will be held in Mar 2025 alongside TSG#107, bringing together stakeholders from RAN, SA, and CT. This workshop will include both parallel and joint RAN/SA/CT sessions, focusing on 6G topics such as radio aspects, system architecture, and core network requirements. The agenda includes a range of 6G-focused contributions from companies, providing a forum for industry leaders to help shape the technical studies for 6G within the working groups.

Towards IMT-2030: Rel-21 and Beyond

The journey from Rel-20 to Rel-21 represents a critical phase, particularly for 6G. Release 21 marks the official start of normative 6G work and is expected to produce the first formal 6G technical specifications, aligning with IMT-2030 submission requirements. The Release 21 timeline, expected to be finalized no later than June 2026, ensures that 3GPP’s specifications for 6G will be ready ahead of the IMT-2030 submission window, with ASN.1/OpenAPI freezes projected by March 2029.

Rel-21 will be a landmark, showcasing the initial wave of 6G technologies through a single, comprehensive release. For stakeholders across the industry, it will be the true inflection point, revealing 3GPP’s vision for 6G, poised to influence global standards for years to come.

A Shared Vision for the Future

Rel-20 is more than just an incremental upgrade—it is the bridge between today’s networks and the transformative potential of tomorrow. With each TSG and WG tasked with balancing efforts between the near-term advancements of 5G-Advanced and the exploratory groundwork for 6G, 3GPP’s work in Rel-20 will shape the telecommunications landscape for years to follow.

As we anticipate the outcomes of the December workshop and the subsequent finalization of Rel-20’s themes, it’s evident that each milestone brings us closer to a transformative era where 5G-Advanced and 6G redefine connectivity for consumers, enterprises, and society as a whole. Through Rel-20, 3GPP is not just setting a course—it’s building a future that is faster, more resilient, and profoundly intelligent. A future where the promise of 6G becomes not only a goal but a realized vision.