1.
Membership
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2. Mailing Lists
| 3.
Legal Matters
| 4.
Specifications |
5.
Technical
Specification Group/Working Group
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6.
Documents and Meetings
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7.
Miscellaneous
|
8.
Technical topics
1.1 Who can become an Individual Member of 3GPP and how much does it cost? Answer>>>
1.1.1 How do I become a member of 3GPP? Answer>>>
1.2 Who may participate in 3GPP meetings? Answer>>>
1.3 Who should fill in the 3GPP membership application form? Answer>>>
1.4 What should I do if the details of a 3GPP member company or official contact change? Answer>>>
1.5 What are the different membership categories? Answer>>>
1.6 Who may become a 3GPP Observer? Answer>>>
1.7 Who may become a Guest Member and do guests have to pay any fees? Answer>>>
1.8 Who can apply for Market Representative Partnership? Answer>>>
1.9 Can an ETSI Observer become an Individual Member of 3GPP? Answer>>>
1.10 Can ETSI Applicant apply for 3GPP Membership? Answer>>>
1.11 My company is already an ETSI Member, what do I have to do to join 3GPP and do I have to pay any fees? Answer>>>
2.1 Are there discussion archives for the 3GPP exploder lists? Answer>>>
2.2 How do I subscribe to the 3GPP exploder lists? Answer>>>
3.1 What is the 3GPP IPR Policy? Answer>>>
3.2 What is the 3GPP policy on licensing? Answer>>>
3.3 What is the 3G Patent Platform? Answer>>>
3.4 Is it true that a number 3GPP members are looking at setting up a patents cooperative, with the aim of reducing the royalties they pay each other for the use of patented technology in third-generation mobile systems? Answer>>>
3.5 Who owns the Technical Specifications and the Technical Reports approved by 3GPP? Answer>>>
3.6 Does a company implementing a product based on the 3GPP specifications have to pay any royalties to the 3GPP organization? Answer>>>
3.7 Is permission needed to use the 3GPP logo in marketing collaterals or on a web site ? Answer>>>
3.8 Can I use computer code included with a 3GPP TS to implement a product ? Answer>>>
4.1 Where can the rules, protocols or software needed to develop applications for UMTS be found? Answer>>>
4.2 What is the correlation between Stage 1, Stage 2 (GSM 3.90 and GSM 02.90) and Phase 1, Phase 2? Answer>>>
4.3 Is there any simple guide to the different CAMEL specifications? Answer>>>
4.4 Where are the specifications which identify the Vcc voltages for the SIM interface? Answer>>>
4.5 Are the 3GPP specifications produced only in word? Answer>>>
4.6 Which group works with specifications covering the use of the GSM codec (either in C or Java based)? Answer>>>
4.7 Does the ETSI GSM standard document collection also include GSM standard documents produced by the GSM Association and exactly what kind of GSM standards does ETSI produce? Answer>>>
4.8 Where would I find a document (e.g. UMTS 30.03 version 3.1.0) which does not appear on the 3GPP Status list? Answer>>>
4.9 Where are all the Change Requests (CRs) located? Answer>>>
4.10 Where are all the current ETSI SMG specs located? Answer>>>
4.11 Which group works on the W-CDMA and the Physical Layer of W-CDMA? Answer>>>
4.12 Where can I find the list of Abstract syntax notation (ASN.1) object identifiers? Answer>>>
4.13 Where can I find the 3GPP Confidentiality and Integrity algorithms? Answer>>>
4.14 What is a Release - how does specification version numbering work? Answer>>>
4.15 Where can I find information on the current status of 3GPP specifications? Answer>>>
4.16 What is the system for numbering specifications? Which specifications contain information on specific topics? Answer>>>
5. Technical Specification Group/Working Group
Work Items and Deliverables
6.8 What are the different types of deliverables? Answer>>>
7.1 How do I resolve the problem with the corrupt file warning in MSWord. Note that this only applies to MSWord2000? Answer>>>
7.2 Do I need a password and user name to access the 3GPP Web site ? Answer>>>
7.3 Can you give me information about which companies manufacture particular types of equipment. Or about what services are available on particular networks? Answer>>>
7.4 Can you give me information about which
companies manufacture particular types of equipment. Or about what services are
available on particular networks?
8.1
Where can I find a list
of technical terms and abbreviations used in 3GPP documents?
Answer>>>
8.2 What is the difference
between a SIM and a USIM? What is a UICC?
Answer>>>
8.3 What is an R-UIM?
Answer>>>
8.4 I have transferred a movie file from my phone to my PC. Where can I find a player for 3gp files? Answer>>>
ANSWERS
Individual Members are by definition members of the Organizational Partners of 3GPP. This means that members of standardization bodies such as ETSI, ARIB, TTA, TTC, T1 and CCSA have a right to take part in 3GPP. There are no fees payable directly to 3GPP. However, the funds required for the running of 3GPP are collected from the Organizational Partners and you may be required to contribute in some way through that route.
If you are not a member of one of the above Standardization bodies then you can find links to these bodies from the 3GPP home page.
If you require further guidance on how to participate in 3GPP activities you should contact the Mobile Competence Centre.
To attend a 3GPP meeting, you must be a 3GPP Individual Member (i.e. you must be a Member of one of the Organizational Partners involved in the project; ARIB, CCSA, ETSI, T1, TTA or TTC. A non-member company should seek membership with one of the above partners to be eligible to contribute and participate at 3GPP Meetings.
The person legally responsible for the requesting company shall fill in the form.
All changes of correspondence should be notified to 3GPPContact@etsi.org
The different membership categories of 3GPP are described in Section B of the 3GPP Working Procedures.
1.6 Who may become an observer ?
The Guest Status is for potential Individual Members who may be granted permission to participate in 3GPP for a maximum period of 6 months. Guest status is granted on a case-by-case basis by the Organizational Partners (see also Working Procedures Article 10). If you like to apply for a Guest status, please send an email to 3GPPContact@etsi.org
No membership fees are requested for Guest applications.
1.8 Who can apply for market representative Partnership?
NO, an ETSI Observer may "observe" all activities, but their participation is limited to the ETSI General Assembly only. Therefore, ETSI Observers have no participation rights in 3GPP. ETSI Observers have access to ETSI documentation and of course to 3GPP documentation since that is openly published on the web.
3GPP does have it's own category called "Observer" but that is entirely different and is used for potential Partners.
YES, an Applicant means that your request to become an ETSI Member will be approved at the next General Assembly. You can participate in 3GPP as soon as the ETSI application has been processed and you are flagged as a Candidate Member (i.e. there is no need to wait until the next GA).
As an ETSI member your company is eligible for a 3GPP Individual Membership and you will be able to attend any of the 3GPP Meetings. Please fill in the on-line 3GPP Application form and your company will be then listed on the 3GPP Website (add link to the form)
There are currently no additional costs involved for participation in 3GPP (the membership fees for ETSI covers the cost of 3GPP participation).
The home page of listserv is at: http://list.3gpp.org/scripts/wa.exe
Then, just follow the links to the archives. For example, the archives for the main RAN email list can be found at:
http://list.3gpp.org/archives/3gpp_tsg_ran.html
follow the instructions found on this page: http://www.3gpp.org/Discussion_Lists/mailing.htm
The 3GPP Organizational Partners have agreed that their IPR policies should be respected and that their respective members should be encouraged to declare "their willingness to grant licenses on fair reasonable terms and conditions and on non discriminatory basis" (Article 3.1 of the Third Generation Partnership Project). For more information Look Here >>>
The above-mentioned principles are further reflected in Article 55 of the 3GPP Technical Working Procedures which request that each Individual Members should declare "at the earliest opportunity, any IPR which they believe to be essential, or potentially essential, to any work ongoing within 3GPP".
Some aspects of 3GPP systems are covered by essential Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) - that is, patented technologies without which equipment cannot be implemented. The IPR vests in - i.e. the patents are held by - individual companies, and not by 3GPP itself or any of its Organizational Partners (OPs). All Individual Members of 3GPP abide by the IPR policies of the OP to which they belong; all such policies are broadly similar (see FAQ 3.1), and require IPR holders to make licences available to all third parties, whether or not they are 3GPP Individual Members, under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.
Neither 3GPP nor its component OPs offer an IPR search service. It is the responsibility of each manufacturer / system implementor to seek and obtain its own licences from the individual IPR holders.
For more information, and a guide to the IPRs declared to each 3GPP OP, look here >>>
(Answer drafted 2005-09-12 by JMM.)
On the fringe of standardization activities some telecom companies have set up a voluntary arrangement for the licensing of essential patents required to meet the standards published for 3G systems has emerged.
Please find a historical recap of the creation of the 3G Patent Platform. Thank you to note that Phase 3 has not started yet.
1. Discussions started in the UMTS IPR working Group (1998).
2. The UMTS IPR working group operated within the UIAP (UMTS Intellectual Property Association) to define the functions of the 3G Patent Platform.
The 3G Patent Platform will provide services for:
- - Evaluating,
- - Certifying and,
- - Licensing
essential patents for 3G Mobile communications.
3. Implementation of the 3G Patent Platform scheme.
The 3G Patent Platform will operate within a new profit service company governed by the members (essential patent holders and licensees). As of today this NEW CO is not operational since it is waiting for the approval of the US/EC/Japanese competition law authorities in order to launch the above-described activities.
More information is to be found at http://www.3gpatents.com/
As of today NEW CO (implementing the 3G Patent Platform) has not be incorporated and the Patent Platform scheme is not operational as it is awaiting for the approval of the US/EC competition law authorities.
ETSI follows the development of the 3G Patent Platform but, as a neutral standard body, cannot take an active participation in this market initiative.
According to the Article 3.2.2 of the Third Generation Partnership Project Agreement, the 3GPP Organizational Partners jointly own copyright on the Technical Specifications and the Technical Reports approved by 3GPP.
The Third Generation Partnership Project is not a legal entity but a Partnership Project between different standardization organizations in the field of telecommunications.
ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is the sole owner of the following acronyms:
as well as the ETSI, TIPHON and 3GPP logos. ETSI Members shall use these Trade Marks in accordance with Collective Letter 1943. Authorization is needed to use the above mentioned acronyms and logos.
For further information please contact : 3GPP Legal
Yes. Some 3GPP Technical Specifications include computer code such as ASN.1 or XML (protocols), C language (codecs), ...; and some include test patterns (codecs) for verifying implementations. These are published to allow users of these TSs to implement real-world products. No permission is required from 3GPP or its Organizational Partners (OPs) to use this code in the design of products - e.g. to compile the C to implement a codec in machine code.
Nevertheless, there may be essential IPR involved with such a design, and implementors are obliged to seek licences to use that technology. See FAQ 3.2.
Moreover, the copyright of all 3GPP TSs and TRs vests jointly by all the 3GPP OPs. Other than for in-house copies for the purpose of further development of the 3GPP standard or for product design purposes, etc. you may not reproduce any part of a 3GPP TS or TR without seeking permission: use the form available here. This means that you must not provide verbatim copies of source code (or lightly modified copies) without seeking permission from 3GPP.
Finally, you are reminded that 3GPP TSs and TRs have no legal status, and you should not design products directly to them. See the advice notice on the cover page of every 3GPP TS and TR. Instead, use the technically identical publication of one of the OPs.
(Answer drafted 2005-09-12 by JMM.)
A good place to start is on the 3GPP website http://www.3gpp.org, and particularly the specifications list at http://www.3gpp.org/specs/specs.htm.
Look at the titles of the specs for those which are appropriate. Perhaps 21.111, 31.102 and 31.111 might be relevant.
The "stage" nomenclature was an ancient CCITT invention, related to ISDN standardisation. "Stage 1" refers to the service description from a service-user's point of view. "Stage 2" is a logical analysis, breaking the problem down into functional elements and the information flows amongst them. "Stage 3" is the concrete implementation of the protocols between physical elements onto which the functional elements have been mapped.
Unfortunately there is no single document acting as a guide to the CAMEL standards. Initial plans were published in ETSI ETR 244 in 1995, though this is so old as to be more or less useless now. GSM 10.78 is the CAMEL project plan, and this is probably the best thing. This may have been available as a temp doc to SMG meeting no. 25, but is still only in draft form, and has never been made publicly available.
In the SS7 arena,
GSM 02.78 / UMTS 22.078 is the Stage 1 (requirements) document.
GSM 03.78 / UMTS 23.078 is the Stage 2 (functions, conceptual data flow)
GSM 09.78 / UMTS 29.078 is the Stage 3 (protocol) - CAMEL Application Part (CAP)
CAP has been released in several phases:
Release 1996 = Phase 1
Release 1997 = Phase 2
Release 1998 = Phase 2
Release 1999 = Phase 3 (GSM and UMTS common spec)
For UMTS, 21.978 is a feasibility study on CAMEL control of Voice over IP.
In the Intelligent Network area, CAMEL is an extension of Core INAP, under the control of ETSI SPAN3 (formerly SPS3) - ignore for simplicity the Stage 1 and Stage 2 specifications, which were under ETSI SPAN6 (formerly NA6). Core INAP was released in sevaral phases:
CS1 = ETS 300 374 series,
CS2 = EN 301 140 series,
CS3 = EN 301 931 series.
It had originally been intended to split CS3 into two releases, and also to produce a CS4. These plans now seem to be on hold. Tthe ETSI phasing of the various Capability Sets was not strictly aligned with the ITU-T "equivalents", and this was a source of some confusion. For further information on SPAN please contact : spansupport@etsi.org Very recently, SPAN has been reorganised, and SPAN3's work is now to be found within SPAN12.
IN CAMEL phase 1 is an enhancement of Core INAP CS1. The protocol is defined in the ETSI EN 301 152 series, which is a "delta" to ETS 300 374, and assumes a CAP according to GSM 09.78 v5.5.x (Phase 2+, Release 1996). IN CS3 includes CAMEL aspects (which were ignored for IN CS2).
3V and 1.8 V SIMs for GSM are specified in GSM 11.12 (phase 2) and GSM 11.18
(release 98) respectively.
However, in 3GPP we have developed a new specification (3G TS 31.101) which
combines the physical/electrical/logical aspects of GSM 11.11, GSM 11.12 and GSM
11.18 into a single specification. The electrical and physical aspects have not
really been changed compared to the GSM specification mentioned above (the
logical and security aspects have been enhanced). It is recommended that
you use this new specification as the basis for any new work.
The 3GPP specs are published as ETSI deliverables, and these are available in PDF from http://www.etsi.org/key. But you can download a free Word viewer (ie read only) from the Microsoft web site. PDF is inherently secure (more so than html, in fact), and because WordViewer is very simple (it can not handle macros, for example), it is pretty safe too.
ETSI has no plans at present to publish specifications in plain text or in html.
The SMG11 and 3GPP SA4 specifications available from http://www.3gpp.org respectively deal
with this. It gives you a list of specifications via
the status list (look for the GSM specs in the MS-Access database at :
and you can then download the specs you need. If you do not have an ETSI EOL
account, you can download the ETSI equivalent standards from http://www.etsi.org/key
.
The GSM specifications were originally started in committee GSM of CEPT. There (as "CEPT Recommendations") they were allocated a reference number of the form nn.nn, for example GSM 06.12. Even after transfer to ETSI about ten years ago, the GSM community (in Technical Committee SMG) continue to use these spec identifiers.
The specifications are grouped into 'Releases'. The original specifications were published by ETSI in 1994 and are now known as 'Phase 1'. The next release was known as 'Phase 2', and the next one as ... 'Phase 2+'. Within Phase 2+, there have been annual releases since 1996, which are known as R96, R97, R98 and R99. You can find the specifications on the SMG file server http://docbox.etsi.org/tech-org/smg/Document/smg/specs/ grouped into directories by Release. (You need an account on the ETSI server to have access to this directory.) Looking at a spec, you can tell which release it belongs to by the version number:
version release
| 3.x.x | Phase 1 |
| 4.x.x | Phase 2 |
| 5.x.x | Phase 2+, R96 |
| 6.x.x | Phase 2+, R97 |
| 7.x.x | Phase 2+, R98 |
| 8.x.x | Phase 2+, R99 |
There will (probably) not be a Release 2000, since the work has been subsumed by the third generation specifications under 3GPP.
All (nearly) the specs of all releases are published as ETSI deliverables, and most have undergone several revisions in each release. In order to match a GSM spec number and version with the corresponding ETSI deliverable, you should go to http://www.etsi.org/key/ .
Look at http://docbox.etsi.org/tech-org/smg/Document/smg/specs/UMTS/3003_320.zip but, an ETSI server account is needed to access this. It is a document stemming from the initial TC-SMG studies on UMTS, not a product of 3GPP. It was, in fact, published as an ETSI deliverable, TR 101 112, and this may be downloaded via http://pda.etsi.org/pda.
In general, the cross-referencing between GSM and ETSI deliverables, and between 3GPP and ETSI deliverables may be found at http://www.etsi.org/key
The information on CRs is available via the 3GPP website at this address:
http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/
The information is classed by series so it is very easy to locate the particular specification which interests you.
If, for example, you are looking for CRs on GSM 08.18 then you would use this link:
http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/0818-CRs.htm
All the archives for the GSM documentation may be found here:
http://docbox.etsi.org/zarchive/SMG/
An ETSI On-Line account is needed to access these documents. You can apply for an ETSI online account via: http://webapp.etsi.org/createaccount/
In general, the cross-referencing between GSM and ETSI deliverables, and between 3GPP and ETSI deliverables may be found at: http://webapp.etsi.org/key/queryform.asp
The radio aspects are standardised in TSG-RAN. The technical work is done in
the 4 Working Groups of RAN (WG1 radio layer 1, WG2 radio layer 2/3, WG3
interfaces, WG4 RF measurements). I'd say you are interested in TSG-RAN WG1
then. Their specifications are numbered 25.2xx.
The temporary documents (meeting documents etc.) of WG1 are stored on ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/TSG_RAN/WG1_RL1
and the latest specifications (December 99) are or will be provided on ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/Specs/December_99/25_series.
The expandable list of object identifiers is available here >>>. To see the formal definition of the object identifiers, see the document cited on the right. The tree is not necessarily complete; further extensions may be included in the referenced document. For more information look here >>>
The 3GPP Confidentiality and Integrity algorithms F8 & F9 (KASUMI) have been developed through the collaborative efforts of the 3GPP Organizational Partners. For more information and in order to download the algorithms look here >>>
To meet new market requirements, 3GPP specifications are continually being enhanced with new features. In order to provide developers with a stable platform for implementation while at the same time allowing the addition of new features, the 3GPP uses a system of parallel "releases". For more information look here >>>
New versions of many 3GPP specifications are made available shortly after the 3GPP TSG plenary meetings which take place four times a year (March, June, September and December). In order to identify what the current version is or and how to find information about older versions of specifications look here >>>.
All 3G and GSM specifications have a 3GPP specification number consisting of 4 or 5 digits. (e.g. 09.02 or 29.002). For a more complete description and examples look here >>>
Each TSG/WG has a Chairman, up to two Vice-Chairmen (three Vice-Chairmen) in the case of TSGs), a secretary and a member of the support team. From the 3GPP structural organization page, click on the TSG or WG of interest to reach its home page. From there, click on the "List of elected officials" entry in the table.
The current Terms of Reference for each TSG/WG appear on the web pages of each TSG/WG.
The four Technical Specification Groups (TSGs) have elected their 3GPP TSG officials at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) meeting in March.
The meeting reports for each TSG/WG will indicate the election/re-election/resignation of an official. A complete list of TSG/WG officials is available on the 3GPP web site.
The TSG Chairman and Vice Chairmen are elected by the Technical Specification Group from amongst the Individual Member representatives. Each TSG can elect a maximum of two Vice Chairmen. Once elected, these candidates are proposed to the PCG for appointment.
The Working Group Chairman and Vice Chairmen are elected by the Working Group from amongst the Individual Member representatives. Each Working Group can elect a maximum of two Vice Chairmen.
A candidate for TSG or Working Group election shall provide a letter of support from his Organization and nominations may be made up to the point when an election takes place.
The TSG Chairman and Vice-Chairmen shall be appointed by the PCG on the proposal of the TSG.
The Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen shall be appointed for a two year term of office. The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen may be appointed for one further consecutive term. If, at the end of a Chairman or Vice Chairmans second term, no other candidates are available, the Chairman or Vice Chairmen may be appointed for a further term.
Chairman and Vice Chairmen should not be from the same region, Organizational Partner, or from the same group of companies, unless no other candidate is available.
Successive Chairmen should not be from the same Organizational Partner, the same region or from the same group of companies, unless no other candidate is available
Each TSG/WG has a specific area allocated on the 3GPP ftp server.
The ETSI secretariat does not actually allocate these number - unique number are obtained by the coding scheme that is defined in 31.110. Application identifiers for consist of two parts - a RID and a PIX.
The RID is simple: ISO/IEC have allocated the number 'A000000087' to the 3GPP. This was allocated to ETSI on behalf of the 3GPP.
The coding of the PIX is specified in annex B of 31.110. There are three different sorts of PIX:
Each of these requires the use of the "Card issuer code" as defined in ITU-T recommendation E.118 [3]. This is a unique code given to each card issuer (for example, each GSM operator in the world has requested a card issuer code). So, any 3G operator that does not have a 2G system that uses SIMs will have to apply to the ITU-T in accordance with the procedures in E.118.
6. Documents and TSG/WG Meetings
If you are a TSG/WG member you will receive information about forthcoming meetings via the e-mail exploder. This will indicate the path on the ftp server where the invitation and related documents may be found. You may also consult the Meetings area on the 3GPP Web where the latest invitations of each TSG/WG are stored together with the calendar of meetings.
Each meeting invitation will contain details of how to register contributions for that meeting and who to send your contributions to.
Each meeting invitation will contain details of how to register contributions for that meeting and who to send your contributions to.
Each meeting invitation will contain details of where the documents are stored for the meeting. It is advisable for delegates attending a meeting to download the documents available prior to the meeting from the ftp server and onto their personal computers.
The document template is made available by each TSG/WG in the meeting respective folder on the ftp server.
You should contact your chairman and the meeting host indicating when you will be absent.
Work Items and Deliverables
Approval of Technical Specifications and Technical reports by a TSG shall normally be by consensus.
Where consensus cannot be achieved in the TSG a vote may be taken.
When Technical Specifications and Technical Reports become sufficiently stable, they shall be put under change control of the relevant TSG. The further elaboration of these Technical Specifications and Technical Reports shall be achieved by Change Requests (CRs) to be approved by the TSG.
3GPP shall prepare, approve and maintain documents known as Technical Specifications and Technical Reports. Such documents shall be drawn up by the TSGs and shall, following approval at that level, be submitted to the participating Organizational Partners to be submitted to their respective standardization processes.
Why not?! If you wish to propose a deliverable then bring it to the attention of your chairman and the other members of the TSG/WG in order to discuss the subject.
Each proposed new Work Item shall be supported by at least four Individual Members, and their names shall be recorded in the Work Item definition prepared for the TSG approval. One or more persons shall be named as Rapporteur for the proposed Work Item, and the Rapporteur shall act as the prime contact point on technical matters and for information on progress throughout the drafting phases.The supporting Individual Members are expected to contribute to and progress the new work item throughout the drafting phases.
In addition to the above, TSGs shall approve new Work Items, giving all essential parameters. The proposal shall be entered into the 3GPP work programme, clearly marked as a new entry, for which a unique reference identity shall be allocated.
Neither you or your company is obliged to support the work items of your TSG/WG, however it is normal that if you and your company are supporting members of a Work Item that you be in agreement with their work and will normally support the production of the related deliverable.
Problem:
When opening a document in Word 2000, the following error message appears: This
document may be corrupt. To preserve the contents: Choose Select All from the
Edit menu, then choose Copy from the Edit menu. Create a new document, then
choose Paste from the Edit menu.
Cause:
This may be related to something called list templates. A list template is
created for every numbering or bulleting scheme defined in the document.
Apparently, a minor change in a scheme, or even switching a list from numbered
to bulleted creates a new template. In an arcane way, tables are also related to
list templates. The template count increases automatically, but cannot be
decreased by the user. When more than 1500 templates are defined in the list,
the document becomes corrupt. There are more reasons why a document is corrupt,
so the fix proposed will not solve the problem 100% of the times.
Resolution:
This bug is confirmed by Microsoft and it is listed in its Support Web Site. Follow this link to get the complete report:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q241/5/81.asp
Unfortunately, there is no one document that describes the Core Network, as
it is an area of work far too involved to be contained in one specification.
For a general overview document of Network Architecture TS 23.002 may be
downloaded from our FTP server. ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/Specs/October_99/23_series.
For more general organizational information, have a look at the 3GPP web site
which shows the individual areas of 3GPP and in particular Core Network. http://www.3gpp.org/TSG/CN.htm.
No password is needed to access any information on the 3GPP Web site, all information is openly published.
No. The 3GPP Support Team must remain neutral and must not show bias to any of its Individual Members. Such information may be available from the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (www.gsacom.com) where you will find a statistics area which could be of help.
Individual terms are defined in each 3GPP Technical Specification and Technical Report. A compendium of terms and abbreviations can be found in 3GPP TR 21.905. ETSI maintains a list of all terms and abbreviations defined in its publications in "TEDDI".
The Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is the removable card bearing a silicon chip which holds 3GPP system subscriber information. The UICC is a general purpose card having both non-volatile memory and a general-purpose processor. Thus while it is used, in a 3GPP terminal, to hold (U)SIM information / applications, it is can also be used for other purposes, possibly unrelated to telecommunications. A common use of UICCs is in the well-known credit card format, and there is no reason why a single card could not hold (U)SIM functionality in addition to electronic purse / credit card functionality, or indeed any other application / data.
The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is the collection of functions which personalize a 3GPP terminal. The SIM contains static information about the services subscribed to, the phone number, the identity of the home network, a list of preferred roaming networks, and so on. The SIM also contains storage capacity for the subscriber's contacts' phone numbers. The term "SIM" is often misused for "UICC". The SIM concept was created during the early development of the GSM standards, and second-generation (based on GERAN) terminals up to and including Release 4 use SIM functionality.
For third generation systems (based on UTRAN), more complex functionality was called for, and the SIM evolved into the USIM or Universal Subscriber Identity Module. Release 99 3rd generations onwards use USIMs rather than SIMs. From Release 5 onwards, both second and third generation terminals use USIMs (though to maintain backwards compatibility with older networks and terminals, later Release 2nd generation USIMs are likely to implement Rel-4 SIM functionality in addition to Rel-5 or later USIM functionality).
For further information on the 3GPP Release system, see the Release page.
Short answer: nothing to do with us!
Longer answer: the R-UIM is to 3GPP2 systems what the USIM is to 3GPP
systems. (3GPP2 is an independent organization responsible for the
standardization of CDMA2000.)
The 3gp file format is defined in 3GPP TS 26.244 and in TS 26.412. However, 3GPP has not defined a decoder. Your phone manufacturer may have supplied a player (check the CD-ROM which came with your phone) or look on its web site. Alternatively, search the Internet: a number of commercial players exist, and trial versions of some may be downloaded without charge.
Last updated:
2006-07-20: answer to faq 5.1 revised
2006-01-23: "technical" area added
2005-09-12
2005-08-22