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 Series Number

Each 3GPP protocol layer has a unique technical specification number. An analogy to a technical specification is the Request for Comments (RFC) number, e.g. RFC 1234, defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force, of a particular protocol such as ICMP. The technical specification numbering system is like this: ab.xyz or ab.xy where the first two digits, i.e. ab, identifies the series number of the technical specification. This is further followed by either 3 digits (e.g. xyz) for series from 21 to 55 or 2 digits (e.g. xy) for series from 01 to 13. For example, consider the cover page of the sample TS 22.060, shown in Figure 2.16. The corresponding technical specification number is TS 22.060, where 22 is the series number here.

There are large numbers of technical specifications, or standards, for different areas of the mobile communications networks based on the GSM, GPRS, UMTS, LTE, and 5G technologies. Those technical specifications cover the different system engineering aspects of a mobile communications network as described in Section 2.4. Technical specifications of related protocols or subject areas (e.g. signaling, service aspects) of a particular mobile technology are grouped into so‐called “specification series”, for example, 3GPP TS 44 series, 24 series specifications, and so on. Within a particular series, all the technical specifications of a related protocol or protocol stack can be found.

Visit the 3GPP site [2] for the lists of technical specifications series that are available in each of the mobile communications technologies, such as GSM, GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, LTE, and 5G (second, third, fourth column) under a particular subject area (first column). The specification is organized into the following categories:

 3G (UMTS) and beyond/GSM (R99 and later), covering the 5G also;

 GSM only (Release‐4 and later); and

 GSM only (before Release ‐4).

Start with and look at the standard specification(s) for a particular mobile communications technology domain (column (2) or (3) or (4)) of your interest. For the complete list of the technical specification series, the reader is advised to visit the 3GPP site [2]. Note that after Release 4 or R4, the old GSM specification numbers are increased by 40 (second column from right in [2]), whereas the UMTS standards or specification numbering is lowered by 20 numbers (second column from left in the table appearing on this web site page) corresponding to each GSM standard. Thus, the GSM standard 01.0x has now become GSM 41.00x and UMTS 21.xxx. Note that technical specifications of a particular mobile communication technology such as GSM, EDGE, UMTS, LTE, or 5G could span across multiples series. For example, LTE and 5G have the dedicated specifications series, i.e. 36 and 38; see the 3GPP site [2]. However, one can also find LTE protocol layer‐related specifications/information in other series such as the TS 24.008[45].

 Version, Release Number of a 3GPPTechnical Specification

Each 3GPP technical specification has its version number in the form of a.b.c. The meanings are as follows:

 a

This is the release field. It is incremented each time a major new functionality is added to the concerned mobile communication technology area such as GSM, GPRS/EDGE, UMTS or 5G system.

 b

This is the technical field. It is incremented each time a technical change is made to the concerned technical specification. Note that the technical information field is reset to zero every time the release field is updated.

 c

This is the editorial field. It is incremented each time an editorial change is made to a specification. Note that it is reset to zero every time the technical field is updated. For example, TS 44.060 V6.0.0 means that it belongs to 3GPP Release 6. Open a technical specification and have a look at the meaning of each number. One should consider referring to a specification having the first digit of the version as 3 and above because that is the version of the specification under change control. More about the version numbering scheme could be found by visiting the 3GPP site link [5].