Organization and activities of 3GPP

Organizational structure

3GPP consists of a PCG (Project Co-ordination Group) and three study groups (TSG: Technical Specification Group) below it (Fig. 1).
PCG examines the overall policy of operation of 3GPP and coordinates between the TSGs (Table 1) which carry out technical examinations. Further, below the TSGs, there are multiple WGs (Working Groups) that examine the corresponding technologies.

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Table 1 Study groups in 3GPP

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Fig. 1 Organizational structure of 3GPP and chair and vice-chair positions served by DOCOMO

DOCOMO serves as the vice-chair in the major group in the 3GPP standardization (Fig. 1).
The roles of the chair and the vice chairs of a group are to decide policies and schedule for the standardization meetings, make decisions on agreed items and make sure to progress the discussion within the group smoothly.

Procedure of standardization

The procedure of standardization is common to TSG RAN/SA/CT, and it consists of three stages.

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Fig. 2 Procedure of standardization

First, requirements are specified (Stage 1), then architectures are specified based on the requirements (Stage 2), and finally protocol specifications are specified (Stage 3). In each stage, a large number of mobile operators and vendors attend the meeting. Through the intensive discussions on challenges and their resolutions, standard specifications are finally completed.

Standard specifications established in 3GPP

The following table describes main standard specifications established by 3GPP, their time of completion, service names at DOCOMO and time to start the services.