3GPP freezes Release 19 and progress begins on 6G

The US First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) has announced that the 3GPP Technical Specification Group has frozen the 3GPP Release 19 (R19) specifications and all the working groups are now focused on Release 20 (R20), particularly the 6G study activities. With R19 being declared frozen, the only work allowed for this release going forward is corrections and errors found during implementation activities or testing.

R20 marks the sixth release of 5G and the third release of 5G-Advanced. During the RAN Plenary, industry representatives broadly expressed expectations that 6G will be AI-ready, built upon 5G network foundations and service-based architecture. Discussions emphasised a value-driven approach, with features introduced only where they address verified operator and societal needs.

Key topics examined in relation to 6G architecture included device types, spectrum considerations, peak throughput targets, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) integration, non-terrestrial network (NTN) operation, and testing and certification requirements.

Public safety in Release 19

The RAN2 working group confirmed completion of all R19 work items relevant to public safety, including the NR sidelink multi-hop UE-to-Network (U2N) relay feature. Additional completed features included NTN for NR, IoT NTN, and inter-RAT mobility enhancements supporting transitions between LTE terrestrial networks and NR non-terrestrial networks.

In relation to Core Networks and Terminals (CT) the CT1 committee reported 100% completion of all public-safety high-priority features, including protocol work supporting Mission Critical Services (MCS), enhanced location for MCS, and 5G Proximity Services (ProSe) Phase 3.

6G timeline expectations

3GPP says that R20 will generate only technical reports as outcomes of 6G studies, and Release 21 (R21) is expected to contain the first normative technical specifications for 6G, with the final R21 timeline to be agreed upon at the June 2026 plenary meeting.

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