3gpp Releases

3GPP Releases

Official Release Timeline: https://www.3gpp.org/specifications-technologies/releases

Overview

3GPP specifications are published four times a year following quarterly Technical Specification Group (TSG) plenary meetings. Each Release represents a set of frozen technical specifications.

Release Structure

Release Numbering

3GPP uses a version numbering scheme:

• Two-digit series number: 21, 22, 23, etc. (indicates major technical version)
• Three-digit spec number: Incrementing within each series (e.g., 21.456, 21.457)
• Complete format: 21.456 (Series number + spec number)

Examples:

• Release 21: TS 21.456, 21.457, 21.458
• Release 22: TS 22.101, 22.102, 22.103
• Release 4: TS 4.001, TR 4.002

Release Timeline

• Rel-99: 1999
• Rel-4/5/6: 2001-2006
• Rel-7: 2007 (LTE)
• Rel-8/9/10: 2009 (LTE-Advanced)
• Rel-11/12/13/14: 2011 (LTE-Advanced Pro)
• Rel-15: 2015 (LTE-Advanced Pro)
• Rel-16/17/18: 2017 (LTE-Advanced Pro + 5G features)
• Rel-18: 2019 (5G NR Standalone)
• Rel-20: Current release (4G/5G dual connectivity + 5G NR Standalone)

TSG Rounds

What is a TSG Round?

A TSG round is a quarterly plenary meeting where specifications are made available. Each TSG round produces:

1. Newly under change control specs (80%+ complete)
2. Unchanged specs from previous version
3. Revised specs incorporating approved Change Requests
4. Upgraded specs to current Release (at freeze time)

TSG Round Schedule

Four TSG plenaries per year:

• March: RAN, SA, CT
• June: RAN, SA, CT
• September: RAN, SA, CT
• December: RAN, SA, CT

Example 2025 Schedule:

• March 2025: TSG RAN#107, TSG SA#107, TSG CT#107
• June 2025: TSG RAN#108, TSG SA#108, TSG CT#108
• September 2025: TSG RAN#109, TSG SA#109, TSG CT#109
• December 2025: TSG RAN#110, TSG SA#110, TSG CT#110

Spec Availability

FTP Directory Pattern

https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/<YYYY>-<MM>/

TSG Round Examples:

• RAN#110: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/2025-12/
• SA#110: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/2025-12/SpecslistexTSG/TSG110.htm
• CT#110: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/2025-12/SpecslistexTSG/TSG110.htm

Target Dates

• MCC Target: All new/revised specs available within 3 weeks after TSG plenary
• Buffer Time: Extra week added for large volumes or holiday periods

Spec Types

• TS (Technical Specification): Normative technical specifications
• TR (Technical Report): Informative reports, studies

Release Freeze

• Definition: Point after which only corrections are allowed
• Backward Compatibility: Major focus to ensure systems remain compatible
• Forward Compatibility: Building compatibility for future releases (e.g., NSA in early 5G NR)

Closed Releases

Older releases that are "closed" - no further Change Requests accepted.

• Examples:
• Release 99: Closed
• Release 6: Closed
• Release 5: Closed
• Release 4: Closed

Usage in Code

Finding Specs by Release

# FTP directory for Release 18
base_url = "https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/2018-12/"

# List all spec files
spec_list = requests.get(base_url).text.split("\n")

Spec Number Pattern

TS numbers follow pattern: <series>.<spec>, where <series> is 21, 22, 23, etc.

Examples:

• TS 21.456: Series 21, spec 456
• TS 22.101: Series 22, spec 101
• TR 4.001: Series 4, spec 1 (Technical Report)

Cross-References

• 3gpp-working-groups - For understanding which TSGs produce which specs
• 3gpp-specifications - For spec file format and numbering
• 3gpp-change-request - For modifications to specs in releases

Resources

• 3GPP Official: https://www.3gpp.org/
• 3GPP Portal: https://portal.3gpp.org/
• MCC Info: Available in spec list tables

Key Points

• Parallel Development: Multiple releases worked on simultaneously (Rel-4, Rel-5, etc.)
• Current Release: Release 20 is in active development
• Backward Compatibility: Core design principle across all releases
• Closed Releases: No further modifications accepted