The International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promote the safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels - through harmonised Marine Aids to Navigation, has today joined 3GPP as a Market Representation Partner (MRP).

Since 2018, collaborative efforts have been increasing between 3GPP and IALA. Initially through the Rel-16 Maritime Communication Services over 3GPP system study (TR 22.819) and more recently during the discussions around and prioritization of 3GPP Rel-18 and Rel-19 features, with IALA participation as a ‘vertical’ industry representative.

In her presentation to the 3GPP Organizational Partner (OP) meeting on November 14, Alisa Nechyporuk, IALA Technical Officer, introduced the organization and identified some of the maritime use cases that will benefit from direct IALA representation in 3GPP working groups. These include:

• Vessel traffic services (VTS)
• Position, Navigation and Timing of Marine Aids to Navigation facilities
• Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) trials

The arrival of the coastal states’ Ministries and Regional authorities, alongside their respective Industrial Members will help to ensure that Marine Aids to Navigation contributions are now driven even more effectively through 3GPP standards.

“Our contributions will enhance 3GPP’s understanding of the maritime operational environment. We look forward to collaborating with the 3GPP community to ensure that the maritime domain is effectively represented in future mobile and wireless standards development.”  Says Francis Zachariae, IALA Secretary-General.

The 3GPP OP#54 meeting approved the MRP request from IALA unanimously, during their meeting today. 

More on IALA

The aim of IALA is to foster the safe, economic and efficient movement of vessels, through improvement and harmonisation of Marine Aids to Navigation worldwide and other appropriate means, for the benefit of the maritime community and the protection of the environment.

MRPs in 3GPP (November 2025):

Further details about the partners in 3GPP can be found at https://www.3gpp.org/about-us/partners.