3GPP Organizational Partners ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TSDSI, TTA, and TTC today announced that 3GPP will develop the next generation of global communications specifications. Based on its success over several technology generations—from 3G to 5G—3GPP is uniquely positioned to develop the standard for the sixth generation of mobile systems or “6G”. The organization’s consensus-based process delivers the critical technical specifications that provide a complete system description for the mobile networks that billions of users depend on.

3GPP is currently at work on Release 18 and will soon begin development of Release 19 of its specifications, which relate to 5G-Advanced. However, delivery of a new mobile generation is a multi-year process. That is why the work for the 6G specifications is being planned well in advance. 5G brought increased interest in 3GPP, with the organization growing to meet the demands of more sectors and new services. Further growth may be expected as the needs of 6G use cases are considered in the standards development process. 

Since its inception, 3GPP has successfully delivered on the promise of cellular communications. The Organizational Partners in the project now stand ready to embark on the planning for the next generation, 6G.