3GPP Specifications - Numbering scheme

All 3G and GSM specifications have a 3GPP specification number consisting of 4 or 5 digits. (e.g. 09.02 or 29.002). The first two digits define the series as listed in the table below. They are followed by 2 further digits for the 01 to 13 series or 3 further digits for the 21 to 55 series. The term "3G" means a 3GPP system using a UTRAN radio access network; the term "GSM" means a 3GPP system using a GERAN radio access network. (Thus "GSM" includes GPRS and EDGE features.)

The full title, specification number and latest version number for every specification can be found in the current status list [warning: large file!] (see also main specs page for status lists pertaining to each TSG SA meeting) and more information about terms such as R99 and Rel-4 can be found on the Releases and phases page.

A specification in the 21 to 35 series may apply either to 3G only or to GSM and 3G. A clue lies in the third digit, where a "0" indicates that it applies to both systems. For example, 29.002 applies to 3G and GSM systems whereas 25.101 and 25.201 apply only to 3G. Most specs in all other series apply only to GSM systems. However, as the spec numbering space has been used up, this guide is frequently broken, and it is necessary to examine the information page for each spec (see the table below) or to check the lists in 01.01 / 41.101 (GSM) and 21.101 (3G) for the definitive specification sets for each system and each Release.

Subject of specification series

3G/GSM R99 and later

GSM only (Rel-4 and later)

GSM only (before Rel-4)

General information (long defunct) 00 series

Requirements 21 series 41 series 01 series

Service aspects ("stage 1") 22 series 42 series 02 series

Technical realization ("stage 2") 23 series 43 series 03 series

Signalling protocols ("stage 3") - user equipment to network 24 series 44 series 04 series

Radio aspects 25 series 45 series 05 series

CODECs 26 series 46 series 06 series

Data 27 series 47 series (none exists) 07 series

Signalling protocols ("stage 3") -(RSS-CN) 28 series 48 series 08 series

Signalling protocols ("stage 3") - intra-fixed-network 29 series 49 series 09 series

Programme management 30 series 50 series 10 series

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM / USIM), IC Cards. Test specs. 31 series 51 series 11 series

OAM&P and Charging 32 series 52 series 12 series

Access requirements and test specifications 13 series (1) 13 series (1)

Security aspects 33 series (2) (2)

UE and (U)SIM test specifications 34 series (2) 11 series

Security algorithms (3) 35 series 55 series (4)

Evolved UTRA aspects 36 series - -

Note (1): The 13 series GSM specifications relate to European-Union-specific regulatory standards. On the closure of ETSI TC SMG, responsibility for these specifications was transferred to ETSI TC MSG, (Mobile Specification Group) and they do not appear on the 3GPP file server.

Note (2): The specifications of these aspects are spread throughout several series.
Note (3): Algorithms may be subject to export licensing conditions. See the relevant 3GPP page. See also the relevant ETSI pages.
Note (4): The original GSM algorithms are not published and are controlled by the GSM Association.

Missing Specs: Click here to see those Specs not yet available following the most recent round of TSG meetings.

The 3GPP Specifications are stored on the file server as zipped MS-Word files. The filenames have the following structure:

SM[-P[-Q]]-V.zip

where the character fields have the following significance ...

S = series number - 2 characters (see the table above)
M = mantissa (the part of the spec number after the series number) - 2 or 3 characters (see above)
P = optional part number - 1 or 2 digits if present
Q = optional sub-part number - 1 or 2 digits if present
V = version number, without separating dots - 3 digits

So for example:
21900-320.zip is 3GPP TR 21.900 version 3.2.0
0408-6g0.zip is 3GPP TS 04.08 version 6.16.0
32111-4-410 is 3GPP TS 32.111 part 4 version 4.1.0
29998-04-1-100 is 3GPP TS 29.998 part 4 sub-part 1 version 1.0.0

Further information:

Latest version

The latest versions of the approved specifications in the "latest" directory. The latest version of draft specs (i.e. those not yet under change control) are in the "latest-drafts" directory. See also the page on version numbering.

Particular version

All older versions of specifications (where available) are stored in the archive subdirectory. All versions of all releases of a given specification are placed directly under the name of the specification.

Title or subject

If you only know the title or the subject, but not the specification number, the best place to start looking is the complete list of all 3GPP specification numbers and titles. This list also shows the most recent version in each Release.

Specs related to a particular working group

Each 3GPP TSG Working Group has a home page, which lists the specifications under its responsibility. Follow the links from here....

Official versions published by recognized Standards Development Organizations

The 3GPP Technical Specifications (and Technical Reports) which are publicly available from this site have, in themselves, no legal standing. They only become "official" when transposed into corresponding publications of the Partner Organizations. If you are looking for the official versions, see the official publications page.

Yet more information:

Work plan. The 3GPP Work plan describes the new functionality currently being elaborated in the TSG working groups. It also indicates the expected timescales for their finalization.
Releases (and phases, stages). An introduction to the 3GPP mechanism for specifications releases can be found here.
Historical information. If you need to look for old / superseded specifications or change requests, start here.
TSG working methods. The procedures for creating, enhancing and maintaining specifications are described in TR 21.900. A presentation outlining the release and change request process can be found here.
3GPP Drafting rules. The rules for drafting specifications are described in TR 21.801.
Change Requests (CRs). The change request mechanism is used when a correction or new functionality is required for an existing specification. Here you can find all information related to change requests.
Version numbering. More information on the version numbering page.

last updated:
2008-01-28: Link to missing specs page added.
2006-09-04: 36.- series added.
2005-08-05: Title for table entry 32/52/12.- series changed from "O&M".
2005-07-29: Title for 34.-series changed from "(U)SIM test specs" to add "UE" as well.
2005-07-21: corrects hyperlink to TB chart; adds links to info on version numbering
2004-08-02: missing bracket inserted
2004-03-02: typo in hyperlink to 45-series specs corrected.
2003-10-21: "further information" section originally in main specs page transferred to this page; sundry editorial improvements.
2003-09-10: links to current status list and to spec numbering system added.
2003-07-10: minor editorial clarifications
2003-06-27: 00.-series added to table; URLs to spec lists made relative rather than absolute (to aid site mirroring)
2003-09-26: minor corrections and clarifications
2003-04-24: links to specs series indexes added
2002-10-10: mention of 55 series specs added, plus notes 3 & 4.

Subject of specification series	3G/GSM R99 and later	GSM only (Rel-4 and later)	GSM only (before Rel-4)
General information (long defunct)			00 series
Requirements	21 series	41 series	01 series
Service aspects ("stage 1")	22 series	42 series	02 series
Technical realization ("stage 2")	23 series	43 series	03 series
Signalling protocols ("stage 3") - user equipment to network	24 series	44 series	04 series
Radio aspects	25 series	45 series	05 series
CODECs	26 series	46 series	06 series
Data	27 series	47 series (none exists)	07 series
Signalling protocols ("stage 3") -(RSS-CN)	28 series	48 series	08 series
Signalling protocols ("stage 3") - intra-fixed-network	29 series	49 series	09 series
Programme management	30 series	50 series	10 series
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM / USIM), IC Cards. Test specs.	31 series	51 series	11 series
OAM&P and Charging	32 series	52 series	12 series
Access requirements and test specifications		13 series (1)	13 series (1)
Security aspects	33 series	(2)	(2)
UE and (U)SIM test specifications	34 series	(2)	11 series
Security algorithms (3)	35 series	55 series	(4)
Evolved UTRA aspects	36 series	-	-
Note (1): The 13 series GSM specifications relate to European-Union-specific regulatory standards. On the closure of ETSI TC SMG, responsibility for these specifications was transferred to ETSI TC MSG, (Mobile Specification Group) and they do not appear on the 3GPP file server. Note (2): The specifications of these aspects are spread throughout several series. Note (3): Algorithms may be subject to export licensing conditions. See the relevant 3GPP page. See also the relevant ETSI pages. Note (4): The original GSM algorithms are not published and are controlled by the GSM Association.