TSG#27 Highlights

| TSG T | TSG CN | TSG SA | TSG RAN | 

Previous Highlights: TSG#26 | TSG#25 | TSG#24 | TSG#23 | TSG#22
TSG#21 | TSG#20 | TSG#19 | TSG#16 | TSG#15

Welcome!

Welcome to the latest edition of TSG Highlights! The aim is to provide you with a concise summary of the decisions and actions of the most recent 3GPP Technical Specification Group meetings held in March 2005 in Tokyo, Japan.

Please note, these summaries to do not constitute formal, approved reports of the meetings – they are opinions only and also may not be complete. They are offered for guidance only.

What's in a 3GPP Release?

For an overview of 3GPP Release 99, Release4 and Release 5 please have a look here >>>. These documents have been produced by the ETSI Mobile Competence Centre and each is a summary of the Features contained in each of the above Releases.

What's in Release 6? What's the schedule? What follows that?

The expected contents of Release 6 (and even what lies beyond Release 6) can be found in the 3GPP workplan .

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 TSG-SA

The 27^th meeting of TSG SA took place in Tokyo, Japan, starting Monday 14^th and finishing Thursday 17^th of March, 2005 and was hosted by the Japanese Friends of 3GPP, the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) and the Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC). It gathered together 158 participants and 195 documents were handled.

Reorganisation of TSGs and closing of TSG T

The 3GPP Organisational structure was changed from 5 TSGs (GERAN, SA, RAN, CN and T) to 4 TSGs (GERAN, SA, "new" RAN and CT). TSG T was closed and the WGs (except T WG2) distributed between TSGs CT and RAN. T WG2 was also closed and it's work distributed among other 3GPP WGs.

Election of officials for 3GPP TSG SA

Mr. Stephen Hayes (Ericsson Inc., ATIS) was appointed to the position of TSG SA Chairman.

Ms. Yuhong Huang (China Mobile Communications Corporation, CCSA) was appointed to the first position of TSG SA Vice Chairman.

Mr. Armin Toepfer (Vodafone D2 GmbH, ETSI) was appointed to the second position of TSG SA Vice Chairman.

Mr. Hee Joung Lee (LG Electronics Inc., TTA) and Mr. Nick Sampson (Orange SA, ETSI) stood for the third position of TSG SA Vice Chairman. After 2 rounds of voting, there was 50% for each candidate and the TSG SA Chairman undertook to take the issue to the PCG for decision on the way forward.

This was the last TSG SA meeting for Mr. Niels Peter Skov Andersen as Chairman of the TSG. He was thanked for his excellent work in this role. The leaving Vice Chairmen were also thanked for their good support to the running of the meetings. The new TSG SA management team were wished good luck and progress in the 3GPP specification work.

Cooperation with external fora

ITU

5 LSs were received from ITU:

• SP‑050003 Liaison (from ITU-T Q11/12 Rapporteurs) on QoS Interworking. This requested input regarding work in the addressed areas that may be relevant, e.g. in particular deliverables satisfying the pre-requisites for performance apportionment, 3GPP collaboration and participation in and Contributions to Study Group 12 advancing this work. WGs were asked to consider any work ongoing in this area and provide any relevant input to ITU T.
• SP‑050004 LS from ITU-T SG12: Additional information on "Mapping between ITU-T and 3GPP QoS Classes and Traffic Descriptors". This reported the mapping of QoS classes that has been done. TSG SA asked SA WG2 to consider this and ITU T Recommendation Y.1541, in TD SP-050005.
• SP‑050005 LS from ITU-T SG12: Revision of Recommendation Y.1541, "Network Performance Objectives for IP-based Services". SA WG2 were asked to consider this revision and contribute to ITU T as necessary.
• SP 050006 LS from ITU-T SG12: Response to 3GPP Reply on Mapping between ITU-T and 3GPP QoS Classes and Traffic Descriptors. ITU T SG12 informed SA WG2 that they fully understand the differences between the scope of TS 23.107 and ITU T Recommendation Y.1541 and provided a figure to help SA WG2 participants to see how the UMTS Bearer Services correspond to the UNI to UNI Network Performance Objectives specified in Y.1541. It was commented that this only addresses a full All-IP network scenario and the problems which may be associated with transitional or hybrid network architectures are not considered by ITU T SG12. SA WG2 were asked to consider this in their next meeting.
• SP‑050007 LS from Q.1/19 to SDOs. ITU-T Q1/19 invited 3GPP to input documents related to architecture studies on systems beyond IMT 2000 so that they may take them into account as they progress their studies. SA WG2 were asked to consider this in their next meeting.

OMA

2 LSs were received from OMA:

• SP‑050008 LS from OMA: OMA Work Programme information availability update. This provided an update on recent liaison exchanges on access to work programme data in OMA. The Work Programme manager (A. Sultan) was asked to consider this for the 3GPP dependencies and to continue the liaison with OMA on their Work Programme status.
• SP‑050011 LS from OMA MWG MMSG: MMSG response regarding Web Services. OMA MWG MMSG has reached the conclusion that this is not relevant for use by MMSG, since the scope of the document addresses the VASP network access to the MMS system, which is not specified in OMA but is specified in 3GPP and 3GPP2.

eCall

1 contribution from eCall was provided by MCC:

• SP 050130 eCall Directive. This was provided to make the wider 3GPP community aware that the European Commission is putting heavy emphasis on establishing the eCall service, and to warn equipment suppliers and network operators that legislation is likely to enforce the obligatory provision of the service within the medium term. This was already brought to the attention of some WGs and is being considered. It was noted that the requirements needed clarification on the expected operation (e.g. (U)SIM needed or not). Members were invited to read the Directive and consider the impacts on their Companies' business.

Release 6 content and timing

• Release 6 was functionally frozen at meeting #26. Items which were near completion at meeting #26, were reviewed for completion at this meeting. This includes Features that have strong industry interest to be included in Release 6 and some items awaiting IETF work completion in order to confirm their completion. Features which were not completed, or in the list of "near completed" items belong to Release 7 or higher.

Fixed access or "NGN" (TISPAN)

ETSI TC TISPAN sent 2 liaisons to 3GPP:

• SP‑050009 LS from ETSI TC TISPAN: About the Workshop on "IMS over Fixed Access" (30-31 March 2005). ETSI TC TISPAN asked that SA2 (on behalf of the 3GPP) coordinate the preparation of the Workshop Agenda with TISPAN and the other interested OPs, to coordinate with the concerned 3GPP Working Groups the issues intended to be addressed in the Workshop and to ensure that the 3GPP Organisations Partners are all invited and informed of the above range of issues on the agenda. ETSI TC TISPAN looks forward to a fruitful co-operation with 3GPP (and other interested SDOs) to meet the "IMS over Fixed Access" convergence objectives.
• SP‑050161 LS from ETSI TC TISPAN: Applicability of TISPAN PSTN ISDN simulation service. ETSI TC TISPAN provided TSG SA with the status of the work and to consider if the IMS-based Telephony service being defined by TISPAN is applicable also to mobile networks and their users. TISPAN also requested feedback on the IMS based Telephony service to ensure that the service can also work in a mobile environment. It was proposed that SA WG1 and CN WG1 should work together with TISPAN to ensure that the IMS telephony developed by TISPAN will be compatible with the 3GPP system. It was also proposed that the architecture should also be checked for compatibility with the 3GPP IMS architecture. TISPAN also pointed out that they would need early availability of Rel‑7 specifications in order for them to develop their fixed network specifications in line with the 3GPP system. This LS was forwarded to SA WG1 to consider the service aspects and 3GPP will try to complete relevant Rel‑7 specifications in good time for use by ETSI TC TISPAN.

Other issues

AMR Noise Suppressor algorithm: TSG SA endorsed the Fujitsu algorithm for AMR Noise Suppressor, which meets the minimum requirements given in 3GPP TS 26.077.

MBMS FEC Codes: It was agreed that there will be only a single FEC Code for Rel‑6 and it will be specified as mandatory. The meeting was informed that there will be a joint meeting between RAN WG4 and SA WG4 on MBMS which it was hoped could help progressing on a single solution proposal. If still no consensus on a solution is reached, SA WG4 should post the arguments on the TSG SA e-mail list to provide early information to delegates. SA WG4 were asked to provide a clear status report to TSG SA to help with any discussions.

Working Groups Matters

SA1

System Architecture Evolution: There is a need for a clear working process between SA WG1 and SA WG2 as work on 3GPP System Architecture Evolution in SA WG2 will consider the results of the AIPN Feasibility Study. There will be a joint meeting in April 2005 with SA WG2 and discussion between the groups can establish a common understanding of the working procedure and future development of these networks.

GUP work: TSG SA decided that SA WG1 should have the GUP Feature responsibility, as CT WG4 have a Building Block for their GUP work.

All CRs, except the one in SP‑050065 (CR to 22.217: Add Service Broker Requirement) were approved.

TR 22.935 was provided for information and was noted.

2 TRs were approved: TR 22.978 on All-IP Network (AIPN) Feasibility Study (Rel 7) and TR 22.979 on Feasibility study on Combined CS Calls and IMS Sessions (Rel 7).

4 revised WIDs were approved (GUP, AIPN Feasibility Study, Network Protection and Combining CS and IMS services & Capability Detection and Exchange mechanism) and 4 new WIDs were approved (Improvements of VGCS in public networks, Rel-7 OSA enhancements, Review of Network Selection Principles and Videotelephony teleservice).

SA2

OSA Stage 2 - A cross-releases Overview. As TS 23.198 had been approved by TSG CN, it was agreed to withdraw TS 23.127 from Rel‑6 onwards.

Workshop on "IMS over Fixed Access" (30th – 31st March 2005). SA WG2 endorsed the proposals for the Workshop and encouraged delegates from the relevant 3GPP WGs to attend the Workshop.

TR 23.898 on Access Class Barring and Overload Protection was approved.

One TS and one TR were presented for information and were noted: TS 23.279 on Combining CS and IMS services and TR 23.804 on Support of SMS and MMS over generic 3GPP IP access. CT WG1 was asked specifically to review this TR to check the SMS functionality.

All CRs were approved.

3 new WIDs were approved: SP‑050119 (LCS Enhancements), SP‑050177 (Voice call continuity between CS and IMS (incl. I-WLAN)) and SP‑050121 (Enhancement of I-WLAN Scenario 3).

SA3

HTTPS connection between an UICC and a network application function. Several companies expressed interest for the usage of HTTPS connection between an UICC-based application and a network application function (NAF) to secure the access to services over HTTP (according to TS 33.222). The impacts of this option have not yet been thoroughly studied and several companies expressed concerns in particular on the impact on the NAF. Since several companies support the presence of this option for Rel 6 TS 33.222, SA WG3 would like to extend the study of this solution until next SA3#38 meeting. and asked TSG SA to allow SA WG3 to present a Rel‑6 CR to TS 33.222 at the June 2005 Plenary meeting according to the final decisions made at the next SA WG3 meeting. TSG SA decided that if the complete work is presented to TSG SA in June 2005 then it could be considered for inclusion in Rel‑6 at that time.

TR 33.978 on Security aspects of early IMS (Rel‑6) was approved.

All CRs were approved.

1 new WID was approved: Liberty Alliance and 3GPP Security Interworking (SP‑050145).

SA4

AMR Noise Suppressor algorithm: TSG SA endorsed the Fujitsu algorithm for AMR Noise Suppressor, which meets the minimum requirements given in 3GPP TS 26.077.

MBMS FEC Codes: It was agreed that there will be only a single FEC Code for Rel‑6 and it will be specified as mandatory. The meeting was informed that there will be a joint meeting between RAN WG4 and SA WG4 on MBMS which it was hoped could help progressing on a single solution proposal. If still no consensus on a solution is reached, SA WG4 should post the arguments on the TSG SA e-mail list to provide early information to delegates. SA WG4 were asked to provide a clear status report to TSG SA to help with any discussions.

3 Rel‑6 TSs were provided for information and were noted: TS 26.406 on General audio Codec audio processing functions; Enhanced aacPlus general audio Codec; Conformance testing, TS 26.274 on Audio Codec processing functions, Extended Adaptive Multi-Rate - Wideband (AMR-WB+) Codec; Conformance testing and TS 26.412 on Source code for 3GP file format.

3 Rel‑6 TSs were approved: TS 26.346 on Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service; Protocols and Codecs, TS 26.273 on ANSI-C code for the Fixed-point Extended AMR Wideband Codec and TS 26.411 on Enhanced aacPlus General Audio Codec; Fixed-point ANSI-C code.

The PSS-MMS-MBMS Audio Codec Characterization Test Plan was also approved.

3 new Rel‑7 WIDs were approved: Performance Characterization of VoIMS over HSDPA/EUL channels (SP‑050089), Dynamic and interactive multimedia scenes (SP‑050195) and Stage 3 Specification of Combining CS and IMS services (SP‑050091).

The 2 WIs MBMS User Services and audio Codecs and related services were accepted for a late completion for Rel‑6 (expected June 2005).

All CR were approved.

SA5

3 TSs were approved to be raised in v.6.0.0 in different areas and 3 TSs were provided for information and noted.

 2 new WIDs were approved: SP‑050032 on Rel‑6 WT on PoC Charging and Rel‑7 OAM-Trace.

 All CRs were approved.

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TSG-RAN (Radio Access Network)

TSG RAN meeting #27 took place in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. The meeting started at 8:00 on Wednesday 9^th March 2005 and finished on Friday 11^th at 16:00. 116 participants were registered and 168 documents were submitted.

A short meeting of the new TSG RAN took place in the afternoon of Friday 11^th, mainly to discuss organizational issues and to agree on the revised Terms of Reference of the WGs.

Elections, organizational matters and Long Term Evolution

This was the last meeting of the current TSG RAN. TSG RAN and TSG T will be closed and merged in a new TSG, named TSG RAN. It will have five WGs: the existing RAN groups plus T WG1, which will become RAN WG5.

Elections were scheduled for the chair and vice chair positions of the new TSG RAN. Having only one candidature for the chair, and after the withdrawal of two of the five candidates for vice chair, a vote was not needed for any of the positions. The list of new officials, to be confirmed by 3GPP PCG, is as follows:

Liaison Statements

ETSI MSG sent TSG RAN a LS on the issue of GSM on board aircraft, reminding that feedback to ECC is to be provided before June 2005. RAN WG4 and GERAN WG1 are currently looking at the potential interference of the embarked system to ground networks, GERAN and UTRAN. It is expected that a response to ECC will be ready for the deadline.

A LS was received from SA WG4 asking RAN to review the error patterns to be used for MBMS simulations. Also, it is asked that RAN WG4 and SA WG4 jointly discuss the MBMS performance requirements that are of interest of SA WG4. It was agreed to have a joint session during the RAN WG4 Ad Hoc in April.

ITU-R matters

ITU-R WP8F has started Question 333-1/8 on IP solutions on mobile networks, covering transport and application layers. It was agreed that 3GPP RAN will contribute with the current developments in 3GPP specifications. RAN ITU-R Ad Hoc will coordinate the process, with review and contribution of RAN WGs but also CN/SA WGs.

Release 99, Release 4 & Release 5

As a response to the plea for simplification of the specifications expressed in the past, several companies presented a list of features that are not used in current field implementations and unlikely to be used in the future. The group agreed to consider the removal from the specifications and tasked the WGs to study the detail and come with the necessary CRs. It was agreed that Rel99 and Rel-4 shouldn't be affected

As a part of the clean up exercise above, the group had agreed in December to proceed with the removal of TGPL2 and had tasked the WGs to produce the CRs. These CRs were available and approved in the meeting.

Release 6 and beyond

The Work Item Performance Requirements of Receive Diversity for HSDPA was completed and the last set of CRs approved (section 9.1.1.1)

The completion date of the UMTS900 WI is delayed to December 2005 to cope with a new set of scenarios, including the rural areas with large cell radius requested by ECC

The WI Description Sheet of UE Antenna Performance Evaluation Method and Requirements is updated to take into account that the Methods will also be used for 2G terminals, in line with the new WI created by GERAN

The WI Optimisation of downlink channelisation code utilisation is completed and the CRs are approved

The WI Optimisation of downlink channelisation code utilisation for 3.84 Mcps TDD is completed and the CRs are approved

A proposal was presented to remove one or more of the combining schemes in MBMS in order to reduce complexity and UE production delays. It was agreed to remove RAKE combining, but the door is still open to remove one of the two remaining options. WGs are tasked to create the necessary CRs for the clean up.

FDD Enhanced Uplink WIs in WG1, WG2 and WG3 were closed. Changes may be needed in the future, but will be incorporated as corrections. The WI for Performance Requirements in WG4 remains open, intended for Rel-6, and due for June 2005.

It was reported that several EDCH scheduling options have been discussed for some time in WG1 and WG2, without agreement. Three proposals for a way forward were introduced, aiming at discarding some of the options. The group tasked RAN WG2 to agree on a Stage 2 where no functionalities are duplicated with different options.

TR 25.808 FDD Enhanced Uplink physical layer aspects v2.0.0 was approved and put under change control.

The Feasibility Study for Uplink enhancements for UTRA TDD was completed. A Work Item follows.

TR 25.804 Feasibility Study on Uplink Enhancements for UTRA TDD v2.0.0 was approved and put under change control

TSG SA had requested justification is provided for the WIs to be included in Rel-6 but not finished by March 2005. The following TSG RAN Items fall into this case:

• RAB Support enhancements

• Improved Performance Requirements for HSDPA UE cat 7 & 8

• EDCH performance requirements

• MBMS performance requirements

The following new Work Items were approved:

• 3.84 Mcps TDD Enhanced Uplink

• CS and PS call setup delay improvement

• Study item on Performance Evaluation of the UE behaviour in high speed trains with speeds up to 350 kmph

• UE performance requirements for MBMS (TDD)

• Improved support of IMS Realtime Services using HSDPA/EDCH

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